If workers were paid in equity, they would have say in the company proportional to the value of their contribution to the company (modulo politics, etc).

But what if some workers are willing to give up "say" in the in return for cash? Should they be prevented from doing so? Should employees be paid in restricted stock, receiving cash only when their company issues dividends?

Note that as an employee of a public company who doesn't buy any shares, I've revealed that I prefer cash to voice. Why do you feel you know better about how I should handle my finances and working arrangements?

>Why do you feel you know better about how I should handle my finances and working arrangements?

I don't say that I know better objectively. I'm merely stating my preference, which might, or might not be better than your preference.

And it could even be better than letting everyone have it his own way (just as it could also be worse). I guess it remains to be proved.

Sometimes, you see, one specific idea is better overall than just letting each person decide. For example, with respect to theft we don't let each person have their preference about it: we deem it illegal, and that's it.

So, this "the individual above everything else" thing. I don't care much for it. And a lot of societies don't, e.g in Europe. Some people, and some societies prefer the "benefit of society above all".

Which might, or might not, coincide with the maximum benefit of a specific individual. That's what politics is about.