Considered as the most influential intellectual tradition in East Asia, Confucianism had generally been blamed by many as the responsible for the backwardness prevalent over the entire region for more than a century since the intrusion of the Western powers. Confucianism concentrates mainly on harmony, peace, hierarchy and statue-quo, it has also spiritual and religious, ethical and moral, economic and socio-political aspects. It was considered as the main social education doctrine in China and other Far East countries in various dynasties. Modern scholars are discussing if Confucian countries like Japan, Korea and Singapore can experiencing a great economic prosperity and at same time a social stability, therefore, is Confucianism the real responsible for their historical failure against westerners?

Confucius is the Latinized form of the philosopher's Chinese name, which was K'ung-fu-tzu, meaning Master K'ung. Though Confucianism is commonly called a religion, it is rather a system of ethical manners. Confucius did not talk of God but the concept of "Jen", benevolence or "Li", respect. "Jen" is a very vast notion, it include human compassion, the respect for social hierarchy and the ideal of a government. K'ung-fu-tzu argued that if the father demonstrate his "Jen" toward family and son, in return his will receive their obedience and "Li" the respect. Therefore, if the government demonstrates its "Jen " to people, the government will receive the obedience of people. This is called the five relations, it consist also between ruler and minister, husband and wife, older brother and younger brother and between friends. The ideal government for K'ung-fu-tzu must in addition train those who are incompetent, punish those who are quilt and promote those are worthy. As K'ung-fu-tzu said: "Who can not follow the order of government if the government leads the people with correctness." In the case of Japan or Singapore for instance, laws are strictly enforced and people respect more each other and elders if we compare with their western counterparts. Because people are more obeisant toward their government, the later consequently has more possibility to carry out certain development policies which are burdensome.

Confucius lived in the period of Spring-Autumn period, it was a time of constant warfare among the states, Confucius taught that most of the ills of society happened because people forgot their place in life and rulers lost virtue, that is way in Confucian political theory, the equality doesn’t exist. He believed that human beings are not equal, but different. Ruled must obey and respect rulers, just as the son must obey to the father. In exchange, government officials must act like a good father toward ruled, understands what they need and take care of them. In the reality his is promoting the concept of elitism. According to his theory, commoners must obey to the rules of government because the governmental institution is the only instrument which can promote the social stability. Of cause Emperor did not exist during his lifetime, but he argues the person who has the highest social place like a King or a Duke because they are mandate by heaven. Which once again legitimate the dominance of rulers.

When he died he was revered almost as a god. Temples were erected in his honor in every city of China. Confucian temple carries the role in educating the ruling elite and in formulating an ideology of "Jen" and "Li" to unify the thought of the intellectuals. His grave at Kufow, in what is now Shandong Province, became a place of pilgrimage. Because Confucius' primary concern lay in social relations, proper conduct, and social harmony, he was revered as the greatest of sages throughout most of China' s history. His teaching, Confucianism, was the state teaching from the beginning of the Han Dynasty in 202 BC to the end of the imperial period in 1911.

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