Even if it had been the rich who brought about the transfer of decision-making authority from the popular assembly to the offices, it would have made little sense for them to give the economic equivalents of hostages (in order to commit themselves to keeping promises made before the election) without an increase in demand for public goods having taken place at the same time. 

Wenn der Satz nicht mit "even if" eingeleitet wäre, schriebe ich "if an increase ... had not taken place ...". Ist die Konstruktion mit "without" ein geeigneter Ersatz?