lustration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lustration" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to a process of cleansing or purification, often used in a political or social context to describe the act of removing individuals from positions of power or influence due to past actions. Example: "The government implemented lustration to ensure that those who had committed human rights abuses were held accountable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would be hard to argue that compared to other central and eastern European post-communist countries, united Germany failed to establish justice for victims of the GDR: lustration and purges were comparatively intensive and extensive, without deteriorating into the kind of witch-hunts that Poland experienced a few years back.

The Guardian - Opinion

More significant though is a movement to alter laws for civil servants, which could roll back lustration requirements.

The Economist

He has thus far declined to submit to an examination known as lustration, whereby candidates for high office are screened for past ties to the communist regime.

The Economist

Instead, the lustration law was simply ignored and Mr Babiš became finance minister in January.As he ran for office opponents sought to portray Mr Babiš as a communist spy, but he and his party were able to spin the attacks as coming from a fearful and corrupt establishment.

The Economist

A lustration law passed in 1991 in the then-Czechoslovakia was more sweeping than similar laws elsewhere, and was opposed by Václav Havel, the then president, and the Council of Europe at the time.

The Economist

A quick lustration might have followed the handover of power.

The Economist

The third party in Mr Sobotka's coalition, the Christian Democrats, have expressed opposition to changing the lustration law, but should the two larger parties in the coalition wish to push forward with the reforms they could count on votes from other parliamentary parties, including the Communists, who control 33 seats, more than double the Christian Democrats 14 MPs.

The Economist

The head of the country's largest oil company has been replaced by an inexperienced friend of the president's.The biggest row is about the government's "lustration" law, which beefs up the vetting of anybody who ever co-operated with the communist-era secret services.

The Economist

There was brief talk of doing away with the lustration law, but a third member, the Christian Democrats, of the now tri-partite governing coalition was opposed.

The Economist

"The state has become so rotted by corruption that it would be better to start all over," says Yegor Sobolev, an activist who heads an unofficial body on "lustration", an initiative to remove bureaucrats tainted by corruption or ties to the violence on Maidan.

The Economist

The Czech Republic has the region's strongest lustration rules.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lustration" when referring to the formal process of removing individuals implicated in past wrongdoings, particularly in political or transitional contexts. Ensure the context clearly indicates the specific historical or political situation to which the term applies.

Common error

The term "lustration" has a specific meaning related to political or historical cleansing. Avoid using it loosely to describe general purification or cleaning processes, as this can dilute its intended impact and historical significance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lustration" is as a noun, often used to describe a specific type of political or social action. As evidenced by Ludwig, it denotes a process aimed at restoring credibility by removing individuals associated with past wrongdoings or oppressive regimes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "lustration" is a grammatically sound noun frequently employed to describe the formal process of removing individuals from positions of power due to their association with past wrongdoings, particularly in political transitions. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, predominantly in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific discussions. While alternatives such as "purification" or "cleansing" exist, "lustration" carries a specific connotation related to political accountability and historical cleansing. It's crucial to use this term precisely to avoid diluting its meaning, as it often appears in formal and professional discourse when analyzing post-conflict societies and transitional justice efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Purification

Focuses on the act of making something pure or clean, often in a spiritual or moral sense.

Cleansing

Emphasizes the removal of dirt, impurities, or unwanted elements.

Purging

Implies a forceful removal of unwanted or harmful elements, often in a political context.

Vetting process

Describes a thorough examination of someone's background or qualifications.

Screening process

Similar to vetting, but often more focused on identifying specific issues or concerns.

Accountability measures

Highlights the steps taken to ensure individuals are held responsible for their actions.

Transitional justice

Broader term encompassing various mechanisms to address past human rights violations.

Denazification

Specific historical example of lustration after World War II.

Decommunization

Specific historical example of lustration after the fall of communism.

Remedial action

Highlights corrective actions taken to fix a wrong or deficiency.

FAQs

What does the term "lustration" mean in political science?

In political science, "lustration" refers to the process of purging individuals associated with a former regime from public office, often to ensure accountability and prevent the recurrence of past abuses.

What are some examples of "lustration laws" implemented in post-communist countries?

Several post-communist countries, including the Czech Republic and Poland, implemented lustration laws to vet individuals for ties to the former communist regime, barring those with significant connections from holding public office.

What are the criticisms of "lustration policies"?

Lustration policies have been criticized for potentially leading to witch-hunts, violating due process, and hindering reconciliation by perpetuating suspicion and division among former adversaries.

How does "lustration" differ from general "purification" or "cleansing"?

"Lustration" specifically refers to the formal process of removing individuals associated with a problematic past regime or system, whereas purification and cleansing are broader terms applicable to any act of making something clean or pure, either physically or metaphorically.