1. Thesis 2. Confucian Ideology 3. Examples in Asia 4. Plato’s and Aristotle’s Demonstration 5. Examples in the Western World 6. Examples of our thesis in Non-stable Economies

 National stability  Sense of progress or “getting ahead”

 In the Analects, there is recognition of the social order: filial duty, respect for authority of superiors. As well, one who practices this, who follows The Way, does not start rebellions.

 “Master Yu said, Those who in private life behave well towards their parents and elder brothers, in public life seldom show a disposition to resist the authority of their superiors. And as for such men starting a revolution, no instance of it has ever occurred. It is upon the trunk that a gentleman works. When that is firmly set up, the Way grows. And surely proper behaviour towards parents and elder brothers is the trunk of Goodness?”

 “The Master said, A country of a thousand war-chariots cannot be administered unless the ruler attends strictly to business, punctually observes his promises, is economical in expenditure, shows affection towards his subjects in general, and uses the labor of the peasantry only at the proper times of year.”

 “The Master said: As a younger brother and son, be filial at home and deferential in the community; be cautious in what you say and then make good on your word; love the multitude broadly and be intimate with those who are authoritative in their conduct. If in so behaving you still have energy left, use it to improve yourself through study.”

 “Zixia said: As for persons who care for the character much more than beauty, who in serving their parents are able to exert themselves utterly, who give their whole person in the service of their ruler, and who, in interactions with colleagues and friends, make good on their word–even if it were said of such persons that they are unschooled, I would insist that they are well educated indeed.”

 “Zigong said: What do you think of the saying: ‘Poor but not inferior; rich but not superior’? The Master replied: Not bad, but not as good as: ‘Poor but enjoying the Way; rich but loving ritual propriety.”

 “Fundamentally, legitimacy is the ability to exercise authority. On a continuum, where legitimacy is nil, authority relies on coercion. At the other end of the continuum, where legitimacy is at its peak, authority is exercised through ideological systems requiring no coercion. Examples of both extremes are difficult to find. Furthermore, time is a great generator of legitimacy. Legitimacy gained over time can be assimilated into Weber (1971) traditional legitimacy or Suchman (1995) cognitive legitimacy. The existence per se of an institution or organization provides de facto legitimacy, i.e. people will perceive something as normal, even natural, just because they have always seen it around.”

 “The Master said: Governing with excellence can be compared to being the North Star: The North Star dwells in its place, and the multitude of stars pay it tribute.”  “The Master said: Govern the people by regulations, keep order among them by chastisements, and they will flee from you, and lose all self-respect. Govern them by moral force, keep order among them by ritual and they will keep their self-respect and come to you of their own accord.”

 “The Master said: The saying ‘In archery it is not the hide that counts, for some men have more strength than others’, is the way of the Ancients.”

 “The Master said: At fifteen I set my heart upon learning. At thirty, I had planted my feet firm upon the ground. At forty, I no longer suffered from perplexities. At fifty, I know what were the biddings of Heaven. At sixty, I heard them with docile ear. At seventy, I could follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of right.”

 “Someone asked Confucius: Why are you not employed in governing? The Master replied: The Book of Documents says: It is all filial conduct! Just being filial to your parents and befriending your brothers is carrying out the work of government. In doing this I am employed in governing. Why must I be ‘employed in governing’?”

 “The Master said: Chou could survey the two preceding dynasties. How great a wealth of culture! And we follow upon Chou.”

 Japan  China  Korea  Hong Kong  Taiwan  Singapore

 The “Republic of Plato” and the “Philosopher King”

 How is Confucianism related to economic growth?  What is similar about Confucius and the Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle?  How does society’s perspective on the economy affect economic growth?