Final answer:
Proportional equivalency deals with fairness based on a consistent proportional change for all, whereas egalitarian equivalency is about ensuring everyone has the same level of resources or opportunities, often justified by the intrinsic equal worth of all individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The terms proportional equivalency and egalitarian equivalency relate to the concepts of fairness and distribution in society. Proportional equivalency suggests that fairness is achieved when changes affect all individuals in a proportionate manner—everyone experiences the same percentage change in their situation. For instance, if there were a general decline in income levels, proportional equivalency would maintain that inequality has not changed if everyone suffered the same proportional loss.
On the other hand, egalitarian equivalency refers to strict equality, where each person should have the same level of material goods and services, independent of their starting position or contribution. This concept is often grounded in the belief that all people have an intrinsic equal worth. Policies like free public education promote egalitarian equivalency by redistributing resources, providing greater benefit to those from low-income families compared to what they contribute in taxes, while also potentially boosting economic output through a better-educated workforce.