The phrase "an essential precondition to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is necessary for another action or event to occur.
Example: "Having a clear understanding of the project requirements is an essential precondition to successful implementation."
Alternatives: "a crucial requirement for" or "a necessary prerequisite for".
"It is an essential precondition to getting out of the crisis".
Hutu and Tutsi in both countries see the exclusive control of the state as an essential precondition to their survival as a people.
Analysing the Chilean wine industry, Vissier (2004) remarked that a profound reorganization of the sector's governance was an essential precondition to its internationalization.
This paper demonstrates, with empirical work from New York City and the State of Victoria in Australia Australiaa's second most populous state), that more precise classification and characterisation of the nature and types of corrupt activity is an essential precondition to the development and design of targeted anti-corruption measures.
Recognising psychological QoL as an issue and monitoring its fluctuation is an essential precondition to providing appropriate services and assistance to support students at university.
Therefore, a well-organised cervical cancer screening programme (Arbyn et al, 2010) should be an essential precondition to implement an effective and efficient self-sampling strategy.
"The good news is, with Senate approval of New Start, the administration achieved the essential precondition to getting Russia to consider reductions in tactical nuclear forces," said Stephen Young, a senior analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists, an arms control advocacy group.
It was only in December that she made clear to other European leaders that adopting a fiscal pact to balance their budgets and reduce debt was an essential precondition for Germany to continuing to pay its fair share of European debt-relief costs.
Signing formal agreement with collaborators to ensure commitment was an essential precondition for the program to be approved by the Senate.
(This is not to say that intent should not an essential precondition for hate speech to be deemed punishable; far from it. However, for reasons of - inter alia - legal certainty it is preferable to first analyse whether the 'material' rather than moral aspects of the provisions have been fulfilled).
Above all, tolerating dissent is an essential precondition for any commitment to developing ideas beyond soundbites.
