Are there examples where identity politics can be good for a functioning pluralistic society?
Discussion
Not really. Identity politics are part of the bad part of human nature, that we constantly struggle to contain.
If you could change something that is a result of identity politics, what would it be?
I'd convince everyone to accept the possibility they are wrong about what they believe is right or true. And to be more modest and curious about people who take the time and effort to challenge the views they subscribe to.
Would anything ever change in a society though? Would women be able to vote for example if the suffragists accepted the possibility that they were wrong?
Yes. Because accepting the possibility you are wrong does not mean that you do not act on your beliefs as if they are right. I somehow doubt that the suffragettes would have quickly come to the conclusion that their political subjugation was the correct answer merely by virtue of listening to the arguments. Especially because they had listened to arguments that women had no place in politics their entire life, and they didn't seem terribly convinced. Instead, they convinced everyone else.
So I don't really see your conundrum here as being of terrible concern to continued practical exercise of collective truth-seeking.
Excellent points. I think the phrase #[4] used was “strong beliefs, weakly held.” In the face of valid counter evidence to your belief, you drop it. You don’t clutch them with a death grip.