Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Resource Economics

The sustainable use of ecological systems and, hence, the survival of human societies is only possible under the condition of appropriate rules and organizational structures. From that angle of view, the exploitation of natural resources and the use of ecological services are both subject of institutional analysis made by Dr. Padmanabhan. In her habilitation thesis, Padmanabhan focuses on one central aspect of the social construction of man-nature-relationships - the differentiation of behavior and rights according to gender. These differences may have consequences for the environment and for power constellations. The author combines economic and sociological theories of institutional and gender analysis and bases her research study, among other frameworks, on the concept of Institutions of Sustainability. Padmanabhan systematically develops these approaches under various aspects, e.g. under that of bio-complexity. Thus, she develops her own strand of theory fed by different sources, being unique by aim and character and exhibiting great originality and specificity. The empirical chapters present six case studies from India and Ethiopia. These case studies describe the nature and gender relationships in the context of different forms and types of normative human behavior.