A new paradigm of sustainable development of rural areas (by the example of Georgia)

Abstract

Currently, there is increased interest in the problems of sustainable development of rural areas in modern conditions on the part of the state, society and science. This is a natural phenomenon, formed under the influence of external and internal factors in the country's development, which poses the task of a deep analysis of the territorial (regional) peculiarities and trends of the contradictory processes of globalization (localization), the development and implementation of measures for theoretical understanding, methodological substantiation and practical support for the transition to the principles of sustainable development. The article examines the problems of sustainable development of rural areas of Georgia, analyzes the political, state, social, economic and environmental aspects of current processes, and assesses the factors that contributed to the emergence of negative processes in the development of rural areas.

A new paradigm for sustainable development of rural areas is proposed: the development and modernization of rural areas is a determining factor in strengthening Georgian statehood; It is advisable to consider issues of use, protection and potential management of rural areas as the most important resource of the country, performing industrial, economic, socio-demographic, cultural, environmental, recreational and other national (state) functions – on the basis of a systemic (holistic) approach; the sustainable components of the territorial development process are: population, economy, and territory. Their development must be carried out on a unified conceptual and methodological basis; the principles of synchronization, complexity and multifunctionality of territorial development programs must be observed.