Do you identify with a particular ideological or political group? have you ever seen your ideological/political opposition write about your group, and thought “what bullshit, that’s not what we’re about at all. they’re lying”

As it turns out, fucking everyone does that! Including your group and the way it talks about your opposition!

If you want to know literally anything about your ideological opponents (something that is essential if you want to criticise them), you need to learn what they are from THEM! You need to read THEIR writing about themselves. If you wonder “why do they do [blank]”, you need to ask THEM that.

Obviously, people against immigration don’t want to address what happens to the boats they turn around, or the refugees who can’t escape their authoritarian country. That is where your own ideology’s writing comes in handy - addressing the things your opponents want to ignore. but if your ideology is telling you “the opponent believes … [seemingly surface-level beliefs]” that should be a red flag! Only your opponent should be trusted to explain their surface-level beliefs and justifications.

Read your opponent’s ideological writings - check their sources, of course (as you should ALWAYS do, even and especially for your own ideology).

You should have the skills to identify errors and false claims made in their arguments. You should not rely on others for basic critical thinking. You should see, first-hand and from the source material, the flaws of a belief before doubtlessly believing their existence. Do not let people lie to you about what the opponent believes.