The article analyzes the basic scientific concepts of the development of the village (rural areas) from the turning points of the 50-60-ies of the last century, the mechanisms, forms, methods and tools for their implementation in practice. The specifics of each of them during the period of functioning of the planning and administrative model of the economy are described, and the real and potential losses from their practical realization are estimated, and the conclusion is that the most important successes in the social reorganization of the village were achieved in the 80's. The devastating consequences for enterprises of the agrarian sector and rural areas of the transition period prior to the establishment of a market economy model in the economy are highlighted; attempts are made to find an acceptable theoretical model of rural development for the future. The peculiarities of introduction of the socioeconomic model in the agrarian sector and in relation to rural territories are analyzed; the objective need for synchronization and the combination of efforts for its practical realization are revealed. It was established that, in the conditions of narrowing the paternalistic role of the state, decentralization of administrative functions and financial resources, rural communities are the driving force behind rural development. Their occurrence is connected with self-initiative of the inhabitants of separate or near villages or their intermediary parts in order to solve local problems. The methods and tools used by rural communities to influence local development in order to increase the level and quality of life of the population are outlined. At the same time, the role and significance of united territorial communities in the revival of "crisis zones" of depressed rural areas will be noticeably increased in the future.