Civil society is on the cusp of remarkable change. In its report, Making good society, the independent Commission of Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society in the UK and Ireland states that it is impossible to imagine plausible responses to the greatest challenges of our time – including political distrust, economic crisis and climate change – without significant input from civil society.

The Commission identifies four critical areas in which civil society activity is necessary to make good society. Over the last week, oD has featured articles by key commissioners laying out their arguments for raising this call for a radical devolution of power and active voice from parliament to the workplace and the family:

• Geoff Mulgan introduces the Inquiry's report.
• Tony Kendle on creating a constituency for climate change.
• Joyce McMillian on democratising media ownership and distribution.
• Rajeeb Dey on growing a more participatory and deliberative democracy. 
• Catharine Howarth on growing a more civil economy.