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Rurality is a central concept in rural development strategy and governance. The meaning of 'rural', however, tends to vary considerably depending on who employs what meaning and for what purpose. This article seeks to critically interrogate the extent to which the 'rural' and rural development policy can be conceived and articulated through the epistemic conceptualisation of Public Administration as a postpositivist, postmodern or postnormal science. The article argues that more diverse conceptions of the rural social architecture in the spaces referred to as 'rural' are critical to a more robust problematising, understanding and articulation of the challenges confronting the role of the developmental state in rural development in the South African context. It explores theoretical perspectives and discourses on the construction of rurality, with the aim of unmasking the complexity inherent in this often taken-