Definition:
Identity politics refers to political positions or movements that centre the experiences, interests, or rights of specific social groups defined by shared identity.
Usage Context:
Used in social justice movements, political discourse, cultural analysis, and debates about representation and equity.
Critical Note:
Identity politics can function as a tool for recognition and redress, but it is often caricatured or weaponised to delegitimise structural critique. When isolated from material conditions, it can be used to fragment solidarity or redirect attention away from systemic power.
Related Terms:
Cultural Capture, Scapegoating, Legitimacy Laundering, Power Imbalance, Nationalism