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
Published by Darrell Anderson
Written by Darrell Anderson
All rights reserved
First Edition 2005
ISBN: None
Library of Congress Card Catalog Number: None
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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