[omeid2]

> and it follows that the need for continuous growth is then _exacerbated_ by the continuous increase in income disparity.

Not necessarily, not only is growth not bound to income disparity; once people's basic needs are meet (health care, minimum living benefits while out of job), the disparity is no longer a humanitarian issue.

More yet, what today goes to middle class in most developed and developing countries used to be the best upper class could get. There is a lot that can be done, of course, but the general state of humanity is on an upwards trend with economy.