This OECD documents discuss some of the key reasons why income inequality exists and is rising. Divided We Stand, Why Inequality Keeps Rising, Main Findings and Divided We Stand, Why Inequality Keeps Rising, Inequality in Emerging Economies. Also check out their “Traffic Light” table, where people can compare how well their country is doing in 6 inequality and 4 redistribution indicators. It can be found here: http://www.oecd.org/document/51/0,3746,en_2649_33933_49147827_1_1_1_1,00.html#COUNTRY_NOTES Scroll down the page and click on “TRAFFIC LIGHT Summary Table.”