This term is functionally meaningless. Authority is not a coherent ideology (an -ism), it's just the natural outcome of the state maintaining a monopoly on violence.

The real question is: whose authority, and for whom?

History has shown it to be right. All you have to do is look at the soviet union/russia.

> It doesn’t flow that their economic success was tied exclusively to authoritarianism.

No. But it is tied to the crushing of the 'democracy' rebellion.

> One might argue they would have a stronger domestic consumer economy if they hadn’t.

You can argue anything but you can't deny reality. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.