Underbroad

Underbroad is a term used to describe a policy or regulation that is considered to be too narrow in scope and therefore fails to address the full extent of the problem it is intended to solve. It suggests that the legislation or rule in question has not cast a wide enough net, leaving significant issues or parties unregulated. This can occur when a policy is drafted with a very specific scenario in mind, overlooking other related or emergent problems.

The concept of underbroadness is often discussed in legal and policy analysis. A law might be deemed underbroad if it is challenged on constitutional grounds, particularly in relation to free speech protections. For instance, a regulation on offensive language might be considered underbroad if it only prohibits a select few words while allowing many others that are equally or more offensive. This can lead to arbitrary enforcement and may not achieve the stated goals of the regulation.

In a policy context, an underbroad approach can result in unintended consequences. If a government program aims to alleviate poverty but only targets a specific demographic, it may fail to help other groups experiencing similar economic hardship. This necessitates a broader, more comprehensive strategy to effectively address complex societal issues. Identifying and rectifying underbroad policies is crucial for ensuring that regulations are both effective and equitable.