Labor, unlike commodities, can modify the market itself and artificially inflate its value. People vote, inanimate objects do not.
Labor, unlike commodities, can modify the market itself and artificially inflate its value. People vote, inanimate objects do not.
You are entirely correct. However, with regard to its place in the economic system and for the purpose of discussing macroeconomic policy for the country, labor is simply an input to the economic machine. Each piece of the economic machine has its unique characteristics, to be sure. But each is also subject to the unfeeling laws of economics.
There are legion examples of business owners who tried with all their might to ignore the laws of economics in order to be a nice guy to his employees. The inevitable result is failure of the entire business, which harms all the employees. Had these bosses gritted their teeth and dealt with the harsh realities of business, they might have been able to limit the damage by eliminating some employees or closing some factories.
There are parts of business that hurt. The only decision available to management is whether to hurt some or eventually hurt all.
Unions have been trying for decades to circumvent the laws of economics. As one union-dominated industry after another collapses, it is clear that they have not been successful.