I'm talking from a social perspective, only.
I was reading some Nietzsche earlier, and he makes a good point about how - prior to the Reformation - the State and religion had been fundamentally intertwined. Religion had a very strong political function. Ceremonies like baptism would ensure religio-cultural homogeneity, and the State would derive its legitimacy from a religious authority to rule.
However, the Reformation obviously strained that. My country, England, actually weathered the Reformation fairly well, and we ended up with a weird episcopal church that was a mismatch of Calvinism and Lutheranism. Even after the Reformation, though, we see this fundamental link with religion. It was so great that even after Charles I's Personal Rule, his execution, the establishment of the Protectorate and the existence of a Republican Army, a Parliament still offered the Crown to Oliver Cromwell.
The fall in religious legitimacy for the State gives rise to religious pluralism and severs the authority the State has over the people, leading to a rise in majoritarianism, utilitarianism and - as we've seen - democracy.
Yet, with many things besides just religion, we've seen time and time again that humans are just bad at being individualistic. The fair few are capable of it; capable of living a solitary, ruthless and ambitious life - the Nietzscheans and the Randians among us. But in Europe we see pluralism leading to religious fundamentalism, nationalism, social conservatism and other forms of "us v. them" collectivism.
Pluralism, essentially, dangerous pluralism that undermines the authority of the governments which hang over us. My question is, given this tendency for pluralism to arise, and conflict with it - particularly in times of crisis - which necessarily leads to the State lacking legitimacy and thus power, is widespread libertarianism actually viable?
I'm not arguing we should end democracy (although that'd be nice) and I'm not arguing for oppressive governments. But ever since the fall of religion, and the rise of secularism/pluralism, it seems we can't afford to place liberty as the goal of politics.
Is libertarianism doomed?