to the extent that=if?

to the extent that=if?
to the extent that =if
=even if
在句子中如何使用?even if放在句中还是句首?
新概念4中的一篇课文，原文和翻译如下
It is precisely the same with a nation.To the extent that the people can be relied upon to behave in a loyal and responsible manner,the government does not require armies of police and civil servants to keep them in order.
一个国家的情况也完全相同。如果人民忠于职守，举止规矩，能受到政府的信赖，那末政府就不要大批的警察和文职人员去促使人民遵纪守法。