Theoretical foundations of rural development

The purpose of the article is to formulate the category "rural development" as a process and result and its possibilities and limitations at the intersection of differences of approaches to its definition and diversity of opinions of the authors; elaboration of ways, resource potential and types of rural development. Research methods includes an abstract-logical method to substantiate the scale of rural development in terms of rural areas and rural communities. Methods of analysis and synthesis to outline the types, classification features and basic functions of rural areas. Structural and functional approach for aggregate definition of the main elements of functioning and development of rural areas, formation of an effective territorial community, resource potential and activities in the field of rural economy and typology of rural development. Research results. It is established that in terms of scientific views, rural development is based on a territorial, multifunctional, institutional and interdisciplinary approach. The development of rural areas is based on production, and rural development on social components. Rural areas perform economic, social and environmental functions, and rural communities - the social welfare of the population. The basis of rural development is the available resource potential of the community for the implementation of management, organizational and economic, natural and recreational, social and environmental activities. The use of the resource potential of the territorial socio-economic system in combination with the system of the natural environment provides for the types of rural development that are interdependent, interconnected and complementary. At the same time, balanced rural development should become a priority and flexible direction of the state agrarian policy of Ukraine. Scientific novelty. Prescriptions for the development of rural areas and rural communities have been identified. The structure of functional components of rural areas and socio-economic potential of rural development are substantiated. Types of rural development are systematized. Practical significance. The studied provisions of rural development, based on the resource capabilities of the territorial socioeconomic system, serve as a guide for making rational management, organizational, economic and socio-environmental decisions on the choice of ways and directions of development of rural territorial communities. Tabl.: 1. Figs.:4. Refs.: 27.