This resource paper on the subject of citizen participation, decentralization, and advocacy planning is part of a series designed to supplement undergraduate geography courses. The approach of the paper de-emphasizes inventory or case study reviews of specific participation or advocacy planning projects for a more general conceptual discussion of the issues. Chapter 1 analyzes the various political theories of citizen participation in public affairs. Chapter 2 briefly describes the federal government's attempts to induce greater citizen participation through such programs and offices as the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Office of Economic Opportunity, and the Model Cities Program. Chapter 3 examines the various forms of government decentralization, emphasizing the theories of community control and concentration. Community control theory suggests the complete transfer of authority and decision-making power, while deconcentration seeks to move government agencies to the local level in order to facilitate the delivery of services. Chapter 4 analyzes the principles and different models of advocacy planning. (Author/DE)