The understanding of the concepts „rural areas", „rural municipality" and „rural region" has passed through a certain development. In the background of this development is the global economy with its negative impact on social and ecological systems in individual countries. The troubles connected with a considerable spatial imbalance have emerged mainly in the developed countries. Spatial approaches to solving the problems of rural areas have their roots in the above-mentioned processes. They evolved from purely sectional understanding through spatially-sectional comprehension (at present represented by the European Union's approach) to purely spatial concepts as presented in OECD studies. The theory of rural areas and its methodological procedures and instruments, too, are being developed in accordance with historical development.