Comment by bruce511

You're offering two choices which prove the point that electing is a poor way to fill a post.

"popularity" does not imply competence. Popularity is easily gamed and bought. Given that unlimited business money can be spent on elections, it's mostly bought.

I'm not sure what you mean by market, or highest price, but I assume you mean the above?

The opposite of elections is appointment. Based on competence. So, for example, in my company I want job x done well, so I appoint a person based on their ability to do x.

Of course this assumes I want x done well. If I'm elected, and I want x done badly, then I can appoint someone based on other factors, like ideology or loyalty etc.