摘要：Diversity as a concept has often been perceived as a positive system attribute to pursue andprotect. However, in some social settings, the way different kinds of diversity shape outcomes can varysignificantly. Diversity of ideas and individuals sometimes can lead to disagreement and conflict, whichin turn can lead to both positive and negative outcomes. In this study, we examine identity diversity, i.e.,age, income, education, worldviews, etc., within the context of Brazilian water governance. We find thatwithin the basins studied in this project, first, the more diversity in organizations and the sectors representedon the council, the more council members participate in council activities, perceive decision making to bedemocratic, and perceive technical information to facilitate decision making. Second, diversity in whatmembers perceive to be the most pressing problems facing the basin and also diversity in worldviews oftencorrelate negatively with some measures of participation and the perceived importance of technicalknowledge. Third, diversity in the level of experience with water issues negatively correlates with somemeasures of participation and perceived democratic decision making. Fourth, diversity in the perceptionof the most important problem facing the basin leads to poorer outcomes in the council. Our work providesan argument for supporting broad sectoral representation of interests within deliberative decision makingbodies; however, it also illustrates that it is critical for these bodies to explore ways to resolve basicdisagreements about the most important problems that need to be addressed and where their collectiveefforts should be focused
关键词：Brazil; identity diversity; integrated water resources management
