Abstract

The paper presents the author’s view on the social development of rural areas. The author examines different points of view, according to which rural development is identical with economic development; the one that relates it tohuman capital; the one that treats it in terms of “growth”; and the view point one that explains it by changes of mentality and the one that makes it dependent on institutional changes. The author concludes that the development of rural areas should be based on the principles of safe social and natural development; preservation of human resources; increase of social activity of the rural population; orientation to traditional values.