Board Thread:Skyrim/@comment-11344160-20140121222806/@comment-24261859-20140121233321

Balgruuf. How is this even a question?

Let's review:

Elisif: Good intentions, but completely lacking experience. Until she has more time to learn the ropes of being Jarl, she's no more than a puppet of General Tullius.

Igmund: Is too complacent about forsworn running amok throughout his hold, very reliant upon his steward. Allows the Silver-Blood family to gain huge amounts of economic and political power, making him little more than a figurehead.

Siddgeir (?): Lazy, uncaring.

Ravencrone: One of the better Jarls, but distrusted by some due to her "mysticism."

Skald: Bitter and distrustful, especially towards anyone who disagrees with his views (i.e. the former Legionnaires living in Dawnstar who pose no threat to him, yet are still threatened with execution)

Laila Law-Giver: Naive, easily manipulated by her steward. Also one of the better Jarls, but suffers from the same figurehead problem as Igmund.

Jarl of Winterhold (forgot his name): Racist, esp. towards elves.

Ulfric: Power-hungry, too pro-nord to care about the needs of other races within his hold.

And then we have Balgruuf. He cares about his people, is a strong leader, and rules generally without any issues, signifying that he generally has good control over his hold. There are no more bandits than is standard for Skyrim, no rampant murderers, no underground drug trade, no vampire threats. The biggest threat to Whiterun comes from the Stormcloaks, which can hardly be blamed on Balgruuf himself.