Norms of forbearance are especially important in presidential democracies. As Juan Linz argued, divided government can easily bring deadlock, dysfunction, and constitutional crisis. Unrestrained presidents can pack the Supreme Court or circumvent Congress by ruling via decree.
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."
