The main objective of this paper is to analyze up-to-date theoretical frameworks on Local Development (LD) issues, comparing these models to the traditional approach. The author argues whether the recent approaches to this matter are actually innovative as compared to the traditional models. The analysis relies on a set of theoretical references based on the review of LD publications, which were sorted out in a comparative table. Local development is approached in terms of the existing conceptions, as well as in terms of its practice and instruments. Such analysis leads to the conclusion that "innovative" might not be an adequate term to designate the contents of those so-called "recent approaches", as the traditional models already presented many of the elements claimed to be novel.