I'm not entirely sure I understand your question, but I think that at least in the US, identity politics is used in much the same manner nationalism is used by dictators. Look at the recent example of Steele. He is a black man who believes in conservative ideas. Once he came to national prominence, he was immediately tarred as an "Uncle Tom", as a traitor to his race. Never mind the inherent racism in doing so. Never mind that he finds conservative ideas the best way to help his race as well as everyone else. Never mind that most blacks find much to agree with conservatives on (moral/cultural issues and vouchers for example) All that matters is that he was disloyal in a very public way and had to be ostracized and denigrated as an example in order to prevent others from being disloyal. The same thing happened to Palin for being a conservative woman.