A Chinese Perspective on Impartiality as the 'Quality of Government' – Lessons from Mozi

The hybrid concept of “Quality of Government” (QoG) based on the state acting impartially and free of bias in policy implementation has emerged as an influential element in Western political thinking, but is this idea truly universal in its applicability? This paper examines that question from the perspective of comparative political thought, by analyzing resemblances between the modern QoG concept and the classical political thought of the Chinese philosopher Mozi for whom “impartiality” was a crucial element of good governance and a well-ordered society. Through a juxtaposition of Mozi’s thinking and QoG discourse, I expose a number of profound and surprising similarities both schools share regarding “impartiality” which point towards something universal in the nature of statecraft. Yet, I also identify a crucial difference. Namely, Mozi conceives of impartiality within a broader set of expectations for good governance by the state as well as practices and attitudes among humanity more broadly.