Good analysis.
I don’t know much about Confucianism, but what I saw there was a very “common sense” society and the vast majority appear to behave with that common sense voluntarily - I didn’t see any heavy handed repression. Seems like there’s a strong sense of the Golden Rule.
Of course, I was there only 4 days, so it’s a very superficial look. I’d like to go back again and explore the “underbelly” to the extent that there is one. I’m sure it’s not all peaches and cream.
You seem to be familiar with the place. What is its “underbelly”? What issues and problems people complain about?
In a way, it's as if Rudy Giuliani's vision for New York has come to full fruition in Singapore. Malaysian, Indonesian, Filipino, and Indian migrant workers - who a lot of the fines (and canings) are actually aimed it - are kept on a tight leash that is not really going to be felt by Western tourists, who are highly unlikely to engage in the kind of behaviors that would trigger these punishments.
"Nice, normal people" do very well in Singapore, and find it safe, clean, and enjoyable - and not in any way visibly oppressive.
Is its system of rigorous math and science education the best for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship? Hard to say. We often try to compare Singapore to the USA but a lot of our innovators came up in the 70's and 80's under a very different culture than we have today. Today's young American innovators tend to copy and modify apps and think they have saved the world. But Singaporeans are now good at that, too.
Is its political system the best for thoughtful Virginia planters with deep classical educations and a desire to bring the blessings of liberty to the world? Probably not. If someone decides to start a new opposition political party promoting libertarian ideals in Singapore they are going to have a very rough time.
BTW, my wife is Singaporean and very much a believer in government smashing down miscreants who disturb the social order. I have had to patiently explain to her why it is a bad idea to give governments unlimited power to do so - after seeing the Biden Administration in action she is starting to get it. :)