  I study the relationship between diversity preferences and the choice rules
implemented by institutions, with a particular focus on the affirmative action
policies. I characterize the choice rules that can be rationalized by diversity
preferences and demonstrate that the recently rescinded affirmative action
mechanism used to allocate government positions in India cannot be
rationalized. I show that if institutions evaluate diversity without
considering intersectionality of identities, their choices cannot satisfy the
crucial substitutes condition. I characterize choice rules that satisfy the
substitutes condition and are rationalizable by preferences that are separable
in diversity and match quality domains.
