Not Only Eastern Europe

The second major competitive bloc is based in Europe and is dominated by Germany. It's taking a big step forward with the consolidation of the European Common Market. Europe has a larger economy than the United States, a larger population and a better educated one. 

If it ever gets its act together and becomes an integrated power, the United States could become a second-class power. This is even more likely as Germany-led Europe takes the lead in restoring Eastern Europe to its traditional role as an economic colony, basically part of the Third World. 

Noam Chomsky, ~1993