It simply means the process of politicians or normal people identifying with a specific group (other then the nation as a whole) and making that groups interest its primary concern rather then the nation or humanity as whole.
Or even simple the process of making policy turns into what are you and what are you not, rather then what are your actions or lack their off.
I the simply fact that you are born gay, straight, polish or any other identifiable group is what defines you and therefore defines your life.
I think that most people mean "my (or whoever's) identity drives my politics. For example, the idea that I must vote Democrat because I'm black.
If you're black and want to vote Democrat, that's not identity politics. I don't even think that it's identity politics if you vote Democrat because you think everyone on the Republican side is a racist who hates you. It becomes identity politics when you vote Democrat because of course you're going to vote Democrat, because you're black. When it's unthinkable for a black to do anything else, then it's identity politics.
That, I think, is most peoples' definition. I have a different one. To me, identity politics is when politics becomes your identity. It's essentially tribalism. Instead of "I think this is the better policy" or "I like this better", you decide that your identity is Democrat/Republican/liberal/conserative. That's who you are.
Conventional media promotes strong opinions in the consumer about stuff they havent checked themselves. Those dogmas are then factionalized along and pre-judged with.
Or even simple the process of making policy turns into what are you and what are you not, rather then what are your actions or lack their off.
I the simply fact that you are born gay, straight, polish or any other identifiable group is what defines you and therefore defines your life.