I certainly would disagree with Mr. Dancey as a whole that rules-lite systems fail to deliver what they promote. Sounds like someone trying to justify their increasingly rules-heavy system.
Having said that, I'll agree that character creation and dispute arbitration probably take roughly the same amount of time, rules-lite or rules heavy. After all, arguing is arguing, whether it's about gaming rules or whether Thai or Indian curries are better-tasting.
If tested for combat and action-resolution, I think rules-lite systems would show their advantages. In my experiences of playing C&C or even OD&D verus
3e (or if you want to get really ornate, Traveller: TNE spaceship combat
), combat is about twice as fast (and twice as fun, but that's subjective) in the rules-lite systems.
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