* Major new account of how to analyse and understand civil society and its ever-more important role in public and political life* Provides a powerful methodology and tools for measuring size, capabilities and effectiveness of civil society in influencing public policy* Essential reading for practitioners and policy-makers in civil society and those studying its role and influence"Civil society -- citizens' groups pursuing their common interests -- has emerged as the major new player in the public realm, and politics and public policy are now determined more than ever before by 'non-State actors'. This book introduces a powerful and innovative approach to measuring, analysing and interpreting civil society." -- the 'Civil Society Diamond'.The aim is to promote a structured and fruitful dialogue within civil society organizations and between them and those in government, business and research institutes who work on them or with them. The methodology uses a range of indicators and data to gauge the strengths, weaknesses and effectiveness of civil society so as to reveal its strategic and policy options.