Part 7/10:
Supporters of the Cordon Sanitaire assert that it is essential for preserving democratic integrity by preventing extremist ideologies from gaining a foothold in mainstream politics. They argue that any form of cooperation could ultimately normalize harmful ideas and weaken democratic institutions.
Conversely, critics contend that rigidly enforcing the firewall is undemocratic. In a representative democracy, every party with substantial voter support should have a voice, and excluding significant portions of the electorate risks breeding distrust in the system. Such exclusion can also enhance an extremist party's outsider image, portraying them as victims and fueling their appeal among disillusioned voters.