>>56
>I don't know, but I know this: the only reason "liberalism" holds up philosophically is that it holds up emotionally.
I think you also have to factor in the centralization of power and government. Liberal arguments are not persuasive to people with a strong identity and close community ties, even if they are emotionally appealing. All liberal democracies have originated in the intendant class, who were originally created by absolute monarchs to break up traditional feudal loyalties and centralize their power bases.