Interesting opinion. I guess it always depends on what happens in a crisis.

In good times, every system thrives and it is almost irrelevant, who is in charge. But as soon as problems occur the differences of the system and the individuals in charge become apparent. Sometimes a ruler is more beneficial and sometimes, in case of bad judgment or other personal shortcomings he is a burden. It is the other way around but not different to a democracy, where you have complexity as a burden but also many hands and minds to prevent bad things from happening.