To Alter or to Abolish
New Principles for the 21st Century
![[Image: © Book Cover for To Alter or to Abolis.]](../images/taota_cover.jpg)
This book is my seminal work providing foundation for much of my writings and philosophy. A full length scholarly effort about why conflict exists in modern social and legal systems.
The title of the book is To Alter or to Abolish. Those words are from the American Declaration of Independence. The subtitle of the book is “New Principles for the 21st Century.” My thesis is to demonstrate why current social and legal processes are failing. My book is not a web site soap box rant, but is a serious effort to provide a scholarly discussion about a contentious topic—the principles human choose to live by.
Writing this book required several years of research. Working on this book provided many hours of study. Sometimes those times were enjoyable, sometimes frustrating. Learning concepts and trying to understand the interpretations of other people is challenging.
Many times I have had to adjust my own perspectives about various topics. I never will end that process, and if you admit that you too are a creature of limited knowledge, then neither will you.
Like many books, this one has been no less an adventure than those written by other people. Like many books, this effort is an accumulation of years of reading and study. I also will agree with other authors that writing a book is a lot of work—but gratifying work.
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Notice: I consider this book a finished project, although I need an independent editor to help polish my writing—authors are always the worst editors of their own work. I also prefer additional peer reviews before publishing and I am still accepting help with reviewing the book.
Because you have the opportunity to read this document for free, in exchange I modestly ask that you provide constructive criticisms. The approximate length is 450 pages (7 x 9 inch format, 11 point type, no index—yet). I cannot offer monetary remuneration if you help, although I will consider barter and trade in the form of proofreading and editing. I also will consider providing you credit in my Acknowledgements section. Please feel welcome to offer your expertise, thoughts, and opinion. I welcome commentary and feedback, especially if you disagree or believe you can help improve my book.
Although I consider this book a finished project, without a formal editing and peer reviews I must consider this work a draft, a work in progress. Also, I try to keep the copy at my web site synchronized with my primary copy, but what is posted here at this web site is not necessarily the latest revision. Thus, be happy to help editorially, but my primary reason for posting a draft is to receive constructive commentary from sincere people like you. The professional editing stage is always at the end of such a project.
Before you volunteer, please read my review guideline. Please also read my review notes, where I outline some of my goals and idiosyncracies regarding this particular book.
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Legal Notice
Published by Darrell Anderson
© Copyright 2005 by Darrell Anderson
All rights reserved
First Edition 2005
ISBN: None
Library of Congress Card Catalog Number: None
No part of this book may be reproduced without permission from the author or publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or copied by mechanical photocopying, recording or other means, without permission from the author or publisher.
Colophon: The rising/setting sun was drawn by Carl Siglock, based upon the image in the chair used by George Washington at the Constitutional Convention. Typefaces used are Book Antiqua and Mistral.
Dedication
To Harvey, who always answered my questions patiently. I miss you dearly, my friend.
2. Energy Flows
6. Society
7. Property
8. Rights
10. Consent
11. Wealth and Debt
12. Cornerstones
13. Government
14. Boundaries
15. Law
16. Conflicts of Law
21. Captured Labor
22. Leviathan
24. Social Contracts
25. Law and Order According to Whom?
26. Elm Street
29. Monetizing Debt
30. Taxation
32. Capitalism
34. Legal Plunder
Part V What You See Is What You Get
37. Lessons Learned
39. Transitions
40. Tomorrow Is Only A Day Away
Appendix A. The Flow of Wealth