This paper analyzes the premises of the Territorial Approach for Rural Development—ETDR—as framework for public policies design in Latin America, by examines its application in the Rural Development Plan of the Province of Mendoza, Argentina, designed in 2004. The analysis identified significant shortcomings, within the approach, when applied as framework for the design of public policies. Among these, are mentioned the inability to incorporate the singularities of the rural territories in Latin America and to promote a real change in the management of the rural model. As a general consideration, it is propose a rotation stage towards a territorial vision of local governance. A vision apply to local areas, with their natural urban-rural mix, and seeking the establishment of a management model determined by three main axes: the territorial level, the field of management and coordinate policies in accordance with principles of decentralization, participation and responsibility.