The third volume in the series examines the evidence of a ‘strong’ civil society in the Philippines, a prominent force in advancing democratization. At the same time, the case studies point to the tensions and conflicts that are also a feature of civil society, including problems of uneven development and power relations; economic, gender and cultural inequities; differences in political orientation and organizational practices. In doing so, this volume offers a nuanced and critical reading of the prospects for participatory democracy.