At a deeper level, joint projects involving sustained cooperation can provide, if only on a small scale, an experience of working together toward a superordinate goal. The power of technological advance and global economic integration to change social conditions is another critical issue for the democracy agenda, said Hamburg, recalling that new opportunities brought by the industrial revolution also produced severe disruptions that had much to do with the emergence of communism, fascism, and the Nazi catastrophe. Warning that the frustrations and uncertainties of a complex, rapidly changing world can trigger scapegoating of highly visible groups like minorities, immigrants, and government officials, he said such groups have already become the targets of irrational, hateful, or extremist responses, which can have serious implications for democratic societies throughout the world. The concepts of governance appropriate to the mid-twentieth century have not been easily adapted to the internationalization of information, capital, and labor occurring in the late twentieth. On topic after topic, old notions of governance are challenged.
Human resources are central to the task of upgrading development opportunities everywhere.
Fundamental for development is the growth of knowledge, skill, and freedom. In closing, Hamburg expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead Carnegie Corporation's efforts during these fourteen years. By the same token, I relish the opportunity of passing the baton to my distinguished successor, Vartan Gregorian, and pursuing my substantive work with enthusiasm. Hamburg will continue leading with Cyrus Vance the Carnegie Commission on Preventing Deadly Conflict and write books. They have been deeply engaged in the work of the foundation while providing important oversight and policy direction.