[mpweiher]

Not sure how that's important. Very often looking from the outside, and particularly at outcomes, is quite sufficient.

I really don't have to understand the core principles of Maoism to be opposed.

I really don't have to understand the core principles of the Khmer Rouge to be opposed.

I really don't have to understand the core principles of Fascism to be opposed.

I really don't have to understand the core principles of Stalinism to be opposed.

What's more, what the core principles are may not be very relevant, because very often the most heinous acts are performed in the service of supposedly very fine "principles". In fact, the more hallowed the principles, the more permission/cover they often give to their followers for the most heinous acts. After all, they are doing this in the name of what is good and righteous.

And of course, this "do you understand X" is typically a deflection, particularly if X does its damn best to obscurantist. And this is often deployed quite tactically.