I have just encountered this writer for the first time. Not sure I'll read more. But from the excerpt, I wouldn't say he has "high praise for autocrats". He is

I have just encountered this writer for the first time. Not sure I'll read more. But from the excerpt, I wouldn't say he has "high praise for autocrats". He is just saying they are less constrained in their actions and hence have more personal effectiveness. That might be true, even if morally unpalatable (don't confuse the two). Also that 'three Fs' quip I have heard elsewhere. Looking past the deliberate provocativeness, he's making the point that it's actually nonsense for most of us. Maybe his other writings go further, I don't know?