In my travels all over Skyrim, the only Jarls who have any idea how to run a hold is:

Balgruuf the Greater

Ulfric Stormcloak

and possibly Idgrod Ravencone

Skald is a blind Stormcloak supporter, not to mention his arrogant attitude towards everyone, including the player.

Siddgeir possibly deposed his father by Imperial machinations, is far to arrogant for the little actual experience he has running a hold, and has some form of relations with local bandits.

Igmund is corrupt under Silver-Blood money, and orders guards to ignore the obvious Forsworn threat within the city. He does not escape the Jarl-Arrogance syndrome.

Laila Law-Giver is truly incompetent, seeing Maven Black-Briar as her friend, (ha) ignores reports of Skooma dealings, and blindly puts her trust in her steward. She doesn't even actually run her own damn city.

Elisif the Fair is the Empire's lapdog, and has no real experience to be the High Queen. Balgruuf, and even Ulfric are more fit to lead.

Korir distrusts all magic, which may, or may not have caused the Great Collapse. He blames the College for his failings, when he could be trying to return Winterhold to it's former glory, in one way or another. Instead he pursues relic weapons in a attempt to gain some form of power.

Why the incompetence, Beth?

also, this might be spoilers, so mods, please move if needed.

I agree. Although, I also see Idgrod Ravencrone to be an okay Jarl. Not too right in the head, but alright. Although, the people of Morthal believe she is not fulfilling her duties as Jarl. I don't see Igmund to be a bad Jarl, nor corrupted by the Silver-Blood. Don't know where you got that from.

They all have their issues, though Igmund is a supporter of the empire, and not bought off with Silver-Blood money.

Really? Thought Thonar payed him off to let the Forsworn run wild, because Thonar was Forsworn himself. Maybe I don't remember Nobody Escapes Chidna Mine as well as I thought.

The Silver-Bloods are all Nords, and the Forsworn hate Nords. Some guards were bought off by the Silver-Bloods though.

Oh no, the Silver-Blood hate the Forsworn. If you help the Forsworn in the No One Escapes Cidna Mine quest, Thongvor Silver-Blood will be yapping about having Madanach's head.

And you think there aren't incompetent leaders in real life? I wouldn't mention who because politics are banned in these forums. It's always been like that, corrupt leaders.

Balgruuf for high king 4e 201

I wish their personalities were more fleshed out, I consider their incompetence "good" they have more going for them than the counts in Oblivion

All the Jarls have some sort of issue. But I have to agree with almost all of your points.

The only reason Madanach is still alive is because Thongvar wanted him that way - he wanted to use Madanach to control the Forsworn in order to protect their mining interests. From what I remember he was perfectly fine with that arrangement until it came back to bite him in the ass.

It's all part of illustrating that whichever side of the civil war you take, there are going to be winners and losers.

Personally, I tend to go with the Legion specifically because of the Stormcloak Jarls, who all come off as either incompetent, corrupt, or in some other way less effective rulers than most of the Imperial backed Jarls (though there are certainly some Jarls who are worse on the Imperial side).

Ravencrone?
Korir...considering his city is just 3 houses,he is set up to be a failure

I guess its between Balgruuf and Ulfric then.

Who do you guys think is the better Jarl for Riften?

Does it matter? Jarl or no Maven rules Riften.

I can agree to almost all of OP's points.
Igmund didn't paid guards, Silver-blood did.

Balgruuf for High King!

I know she is a pretty useless Jarl, but I do like Jarl Laila Law-Giver as a person. I felt bad when she was replaced by Maven Black-Briar. There is no way I would vote for her to be High Queen, but her heart was in the right place, unlike Maven who is more interested in her reputation and profits. Besides, Maven is crooked, she has connections with the Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood both are highly illegal operations. Someone like that shouldn't be in power.

Balgruuf, yes.
Ulfric? His city is a mess. I dont think he is capable. He dont even send guards to the roads knowing there are attacks to caravans.
Yeah, he defend the nord people, but the caravans carry goods for their own people. He is not smart.

Laila's biggest flaw is that she lets herself be overruled by Maven. If Maven was gone (and no one else took her place as the True Boss of Riften), Laila probably would be a decent Jarl.

Actually, there is no evidence of him sending help to Nords, either (only Brunwulf Free-Winter's word - and Brunwulf is apparently a man who talks a lot and does nothing, considering his "efforts" to make the conditions for the Dunmer better consists in eating free food at Ulfric's table, and that nothing really changes if he becomes the new Jarl). Take the Butcher, for example, most of his victims are Nords, at least one from one of WIndhelm's most prominent families. And that's Ulfric's biggest flaw as a Jarl, IMO (I know others might disagree here...): That he spends all his resources and energy on the war. Which I can understand, with his background and motives, but still, not exactly an ideal behavior from a ruler.

Speaking of flaws, Balgruuf's biggest one is of course that he's bribed, which puts him on the list of corrupt Jarls.

I'm not sure that she would be a great Jarl with influential people removed, after all Jarls have to deal with such people all the time as part of there jobs, but with Maven gone she would be significantly better. I like Laila because she cares and is trying to do something, even if she doesn't manage to succeed in bettering her city. I think she just needs to put her foot down and stop being overruled by others, like you said. Once she does that she'll likely start to manage her hold much better.

Also, forgot to put this in my last post, if I were to vote for a Jarl to become High King/Queen then I would vote Balgruuf The Greater. He is the best Jarl for the job, he knows how to protect everyone in his hold and he looks out for everyone in his hold without being overly aggressive which Ulfric is.

You forgot her steward, who is probably much more cunning and clever than her. Laila strikes me as a naive little girl who doesnt know how to think for herself. And if she can't do that, how could she possibly be responsible for all the people living in the hold?

I think Laila is one of the worst, if not the worst Jarl in Skyrim. I see no leadership potential in her whatsoever.

I would vote Balgruuf to be High King. He is fair but strong. Cares about his people as demonstrated in his attitude towards sending aid to Riverwood ('I will not stand by while my people are slaughtered!'), and how he treats the soldiers that report news to him. (sending them for a rest and food and telling them they did a good job).

His best friend is a Dark Elf, so we know he has no prejudice towards that race at least.

My only concern is his 'fence sitting' before being forced to make a choice in the Civil War. But then I suppose that is good strategy that has kept war away for a while. Sadly it brought war in the end....