Book excerpt: The topic of Progressive Governance which is the focus of this volume is today inconceivable without the global modernization process which has permeated our societies and our daily lives. The 14 reform-minded heads of State and government who discussed Progresssive Governance in Berlin in June 2000 have above all else embraced this modernization process as an opportunity. Governments are under great pressure to provide political responses to the visible and tangible process of globalization. Particularly in the face of ever faster merging economies, the information revolution, unrestricted capital mobility and global culture change, people expect globalization to be managed politically and given democratic form. Many innovative responses to the challenges of globalization, the knowledge society and demography are sketched out in the contributions in this book. The response of progressive governments to globalization is cooperation - a new international social covenant between markets, states and civil society. But, what it is about, in any case, is the best way towards development based on prosperity and justice. The contributions in this book could help to better define this best way.