EN
The paper describes development trends and directions of structural changes in the world agriculture as well as agriculture's role in the economies and societies of countries representing different levels of economic advancement. It analyses the traditional and contemporary premises of intervention in agriculture and the purposes and instruments of exerting influence on agriculture and development of rural areas. It also presents a general model of intervention policy and modifications of that model introduced in different groups of countries. The paper presents as well the essential features and determinants - attributable to interventionism, of agricultural policy systems.