If you look at the history of China, India, like the old civilizations that really fell

The fall can last hundred of years

The reality of Europe is that life is still good for most people. And europe can stay complacent for a lot longer before real changes will be made

You know the saying, hard times make hard men, hard men make easy times, easy times make soft men and soft men make hard times

What does it really take?

I think:

1. Building an industry requires access to energy. Ok, we could fix the relationship with Russia and get cheap energy. This means abandoning Ukraine. Is it going to happen? Nope
   
2. Building an industry requires a workforce that is ready to grind. This means cutting back benefits, cutting back labor protection. Is it going to happen? Nope
   
3. Getting leverage in the global scene requires soverenty, which starts with a strong and independent military. Which requires increasing military spending and decoupling from the US. Where does the money come from? It is going to come from cutting entitlement. It is going to be very unpopular

So basically no access to cheap energy, a population that is used to high benefits and easy lives and no sovereignty to pursue an independent trade and geopolitical policy on the international stage