This paper does not intend to deal with the influence of Confucianism on economic development nor with the relationship between the Asian value and democracy. The focus is rather on 'order' which is required for the well-functioning of political and economic systems. The concept of 'order' here signifies the perception of human relationship codified in the minds of individuals. Such order can be derived from the perception of human nature in the intellectual tradition of respective cultures. If the principles of order are deemed to vary according to the theory of man, we may contrast the liberal conception of man and order with that of the Confucian man and order. In contrast to the liberal tradition, Confucianism sought the principle of order in the passionate aspect of men. The principle was to be found in the psychological side of the human nature that could be systematized into the principles of benevolence, righteousness, propriety and knowledge. These principles were seen as innate in men and to be naturally practiced among the members of family. The concrete methods for ordinary men to practice these principles were filial piety and fraternity based on family relations. This family ethic was extended to the man to man relations to establish an affectionate order. Based on the rectification of names, politics was ascribed to the man of virtue who should maintain the order of affection by disciplining himself to be fair and impartial, and displaying moral example to the people as the head of the family. The state was seen as a family writ large, whose members had their own dues and roles to play for the harmony and order.

This paper does not intend to deal with the influence of Confucianism on economic development nor with the relationship between the Asian value and democracy. The focus is rather on 'order' which is required for the well-functioning of political and economic systems. The concept of 'order' here signifies the perception of human relationship codified in the minds of individuals. Such order can be derived from the perception of human nature in the intellectual tradition of respective cultures. If the principles of order are deemed to vary according to the theory of man, we may contrast the liberal conception of man and order with that of the Confucian man and order. In contrast to the liberal tradition, Confucianism sought the principle of order in the passionate aspect of men. The principle was to be found in the psychological side of the human nature that could be systematized into the principles of benevolence, righteousness, propriety and knowledge. These principles were seen as innate in men and to be naturally practiced among the members of family. The concrete methods for ordinary men to practice these principles were filial piety and fraternity based on family relations. This family ethic was extended to the man to man relations to establish an affectionate order. Based on the rectification of names, politics was ascribed to the man of virtue who should maintain the order of affection by disciplining himself to be fair and impartial, and displaying moral example to the people as the head of the family. The state was seen as a family writ large, whose members had their own dues and roles to play for the harmony and order.

Confucianism, liberalism, individual, family, order, modernity