At turning points in history, the historical experience accumulated by society in previous periods of its development becomes especially in demand. Its comprehension in the coordinates of scientific analysis is an important theoretical and methodological resource for solving the problems that society faces in modern conditions. One of such problems is the need to preserve and strengthen social unity and harmony. And in this regard, the phenomenon of the rural (peasant) community and the idea of its social role is of particular interest. The article reveals the views of the outstanding Russian thinker M. A. Bakunin on the role of the community in socio-economic and socio-political development. His attitude to the Marxist doctrine of the state is shown. The project of uniting peasant communities as an alternative to the dictatorship of the state is revealed. A retrospective assessment of M. A. Bakunin’s views from the standpoint of modernity is given.