In the book, Culler proposed that both Protestantism and Confucianism were powerful, influencing forces in their respective domains which led to economic and political stability. Although Culler noted various differences between the two "religions" (e.g., differences in organization), both were deeply entrenched in society, and had the shared similarities in the notion of self-control and restraint, and on relationships. Culler recognized that while Confucianism placed a greater emphasis on hierarchy, based on social status, modern capitalism in the West had formed its own hierarchy based on wealth and class, and developed the idea of an "international synthesis" which would incorporate ideas from Confucianism such as reciprocal relationships built on fealty and Western culture such as ind