comment: >
  
  This is false. If it was because unions were seen as inherently socialist, they never would've retained high member rates throughout the 1950s. The unions declined because of the unstable class warfare after World War II.
context: Without them, competition among employers is not sufficient to raise wages as classical economists assert.
  
  Why? >
  
  It's called monopsony power. When firms hold substantial control over labor markets and when workers have limited choice in where to find job (it can even be for indirect reasons like lacking public transportation), this ensures employers have excess bargaining power. >
  
  Do you have any evidence that it actually exists in major industries? >
  
  Here is Douglas Webber's analysis on monopsony power, and which industries have more or less of it. >
  
  Thanks for the link. I was not familiar with the concept of monopsony power, so I will definitely read more about it in the future.
  If, in fact, monopsony power is strong, wages would rise slower than one would expect in a model that assumes perfect supply elasticity. Still, it would not necessarily mean that there is no wage growth. 
  As far as I can tell, there is large disagreement about whether wages in the last decades rose. Many economists point out that per capita consumption and living standards rose even among lower class Americans, especially when you take non-wage benefits into account. Alan Rey claims that real per capita consumption increased by 74% between 1973 and 2004. 
  While labor markets may be somewhat oligopsonistic, these indicators seem to contradict your theory that unions are necessary to raise consumption. >
  
  Your understanding of history is partially incorrect.
  >This is why, after nearly a decade of a labor golden age under FDR, public opinion turned against labor unions in the late 1940s.
  The late 40s was the start of the cold war. The turn against unions was because of the association with leftism, not anything unions did. It was redbaiting McCarthyism pure and simple.  
  This is why unions are stronger in European countries such as France or Scandinavia, all of which have strong left wing parties. Unlike the United States which has essentially two right wing political parties (democrats policies would be considered center or center right in every other developed country). 
  You are victim blaming.