Civil society is the basis of democracy. In civic and organizational activities people learn how to act together and take care of common matters. Civic activities strengthen people's faith and trust in the democratic system of decision-making. The will to participate and influence comes from the experience that participating and influencing are indeed possible and relevant. Aaro Harju draws a general picture of the Finnish civil society. The book enables the reader to place civil society, its position and significance, within Finnish history and society as a whole. The book is published for foreign readers, especially the actors in the scope of civil society, to promote exchange between organizations.