In Canada judges are straight-up appointed by the government with very few rules (e.g., 10 years experience as lawyer) and no checks/balances. The government pretty much universally takes the recommendations given to them by bureaucrats. The result of this is a highly respected Supreme Court that is looked to by many nations for human rights rulings.
I don’t think it’s really about having an excellent process. The only thing that protects democracy from going down the toilet is not voting for people who will ruin the nation for their own ambitions. Politicizing courts is one way that US politicians have done that.
