Out of the loop

As I understand it the fundamental problem is that capital gains (via the increase of share value) is taxed less than income (via dividends). So shareholders want companies whose share values increase rather than companies that pay dividends, which is why there's the "need" for companies to always eternally grow.

If those taxes were more balanced then there'd be more of a niche for companies that get "big enough" and then just sit at that size steadily turning a nice profit year after year to give to their shareholders.