civil condition

USAGE SUMMARY

'civil condition' is a correct term to use in written English.
It is used to refer to the quality of a society or governing body. For example, "The civil condition in the country has improved significantly since the new president took office."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

In "On Human Conduct" (1975), he explicitly endorsed Proudhon's aim of finding "a condition of social equality which is neither community, nor despotism, nor atomisation, nor disorder, but freedom in order and independence in unity" as "not a bad specification of the civil condition", his own term for a liberal order.

The Economist

(In this sense, the civil condition is a natural condition).

SEP

Individuals may be forced into the civil condition against their consent (6:256).

SEP

This solution mirrors the claim that individuals can be coerced to join a civil condition: reason dictates that entering the civil condition is mandatory even if one's particular arbitrary choice might be to remain outside it (see section 3).

SEP

Since property is a relation of wills that can occur only in a civil condition under a common sovereign power, Kant suggests that prior to this civil condition property can be acquired only in anticipation of and in conformity with a civil condition.

SEP

It is thus not obvious how there can be any social institutions that can exist outside the civil condition, to the extent that social institutions presuppose property relations.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

In saying these things, Trump's own border chief is stating what is now widely understood: These migration surges are largely driven by terrible civil conditions at home.

The Washington Post

Those legal changes would supposedly address the "pull" factors, and many inside the administration — Nielsen included — agree that large investments in improving civil conditions in the Northern Triangle are needed to reduce the "push" factors.

The Washington Post

The families are driven largely by terrible civil conditions in their home countries, which is why efforts by Trump to dissuade them with cruelty — such as family separations, which were nixed amid extreme blowback — failed to accomplish that goal.

The Washington Post

If you don't think this — as I do not — you will be more inclined to support aid to alleviating those terrible civil conditions, and investments and reforms that might speed up the asylum-seeking process.

The Washington Post

Vox's Dara Lind examined the data and found that even during the period of family separations, there was "no evidence" that this "harsh treatment … actually works as a deterrent". Careful reporting explains why: Asylum seekers from Central America are driven by horrific economic, political and civil conditions at home, so they're willing to risk the worst to escape it.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing political philosophy or legal theory, use "civil condition" to refer to a state governed by laws and common authority, contrasting it with a state of nature or anarchy.

Common error

Avoid using "civil condition" as a synonym for general living conditions or personal circumstances. The phrase has a specific, technical meaning related to the structure of a society under governance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "civil condition" functions as a noun phrase that refers to the political and social status of individuals living under a system of governance and law. It often describes a state of order and mutual obligation as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

32%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "civil condition" is a grammatically correct term, primarily used in formal and scientific contexts to describe the political and social status of individuals under a system of governance. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is often employed in discussions of political philosophy and legal theory. While the phrase is relatively common, it should not be confused with everyday circumstances. Ludwig's analysis confirms its association with academic and philosophical discourse, highlighting its specific and technical meaning related to societal structures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

state of society

Describes the overall condition and characteristics of a community.

civic state

Similar to civil condition, emphasizing duties, rights, and privileges of citizenship

social order

Focuses on the arrangement and institutions maintaining societal stability.

political climate

Refers to the prevailing attitudes and conditions in the political sphere.

societal structure

Emphasizes the organization and framework of society.

governing system

Highlights the methods and principles by which a society is ruled.

social fabric

Emphasizes the interconnections and relationships forming society.

political situation

Focuses on immediate or current events.

community environment

Focuses on local conditions and interactions within a specific locale.

public affairs

Refers to matters of general concern and interest to the public.

FAQs

How does the concept of "civil condition" relate to social contract theory?

The "civil condition" is often presented as the outcome of a social contract, where individuals give up certain freedoms in exchange for the protection and order provided by a governing authority. This transition is a central theme in political philosophy.

What is the opposite of the "civil condition" according to philosophers like Kant?

According to Kant, the opposite of the "civil condition" is not simply a social state, but specifically a state of nature, where there is no common power to enforce laws and protect rights. This contrasts with a structured, lawful society.

In what contexts is the term "civil condition" most appropriately used?

The term "civil condition" is best suited for discussions of political philosophy, legal theory, and historical analyses of societal development. It is less appropriate for describing everyday social or economic circumstances.

How does the "civil condition" differ from the concept of "civil society"?

While related, the "civil condition" refers to the overarching state of governance and legal structure, while "civil society" describes the network of voluntary organizations and associations that operate within that framework. They are complementary aspects of a functioning society.