In presidential democracies, the adherence to norms of forbearance is crucial for maintaining stability and functionality. As highlighted by Juan Linz, a divided government can lead to significant challenges such as deadlock and potential constitutional crises. These issues arise when political parties are unable to collaborate effectively, leading to a paralysis of governance.
Moreover, when presidents operate without restraint, they may resort to extreme measures such as manipulating the judicial system or bypassing legislative authority through decrees. This undermines democratic principles and poses a threat to the balance of power, ultimately jeopardizing the democratic framework itself, as discussed in Steven Levitsky's book, "How Democracies Die."