To be completely accurate, WW II seriously decimated Europe. The only reason the West is still top dog is that the US was positioned to step in and prop up Europe to kep her from falling. There will be no ally in the wings to prop up the West when the US falls. And, as we all should have figured out by now, the American empire is over the day after the collapse of the USD. And, make no mistake about it, the day is coming, is inevitable, that the USD will collapse.
The following video has some good ideas about surviving the Fall for those who have figured out the fall is coming and are wise enough to seek some Way to survive other then stockpiling weapons and buying gold:
Yes and no. In a few years, and with the help of the Plan Marshal, Europe was back on its feet. The Soviet Union then took the role as the major european power, but neither the British or the French suffered as much as Germany and they still had their overseas colonies. The Soviet Union was so strong that when Winston Churchill thought about fighting the russians just after the Nazi defeat almost everybody told him that it was military unfeasible (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Unthinkable). Then we had 4 decades of Cold War, which was another proof that europe wasnt really as weak as you say it was. Or maybe it was, but the rest of the world was feeble that it didnt really matter. Or a combination of the two.
Nah, the U.S wont implode. It will most likely lose global presence which will in turn make way for a more multipolar world. Regardless it will remain as the sole superpower for years to come. China is already slowing down, and with it the rest of the developing world. Brazil for example had massive growth because China was their biggest buyer of commodities. Now that the demand took a hit because of the economic downturn, they too are slowing down. And there are many similar cases all across the globe.
People also forget that China is a poor country. India as well. Their macroeconomic indicators give the false impression that they are the next biggest hit. Japan is a powerhouse, not China.
Relax man, the world isn't going to fall apart. There wont be a world war 3. The West wont fight itself and the East isnt nearly as strong or united as them. Just a few days ago China sent 5+warships to a Japanese island because some **** went down. The Koreans hate each other. India and Pakistan hate each other. China is at odds with most of their neighbors.
The way I see it is as follows.
The status quo will be the same in the West.
Asia will most likely continue to improve and will be the #2 player in world affairs.
The middle east is too unstable to pose a real threat.
Latin America isnt too keen on waging wars with anybody. Easily number #3 world player with Mexico, Brazil and Argentina leading the region.
Africa is too poor and undeveloped to make any kind of global impact.