We prove an equivalence, in the large N limit, between certain U(N) gauge
theories containing adjoint representation matter fields and their orbifold
projections. Lattice regularization is used to provide a non-perturbative
definition of these theories; our proof applies in the strong coupling, large
mass phase of the theories. Equivalence is demonstrated by constructing and
comparing the loop equations for a parent theory and its orbifold projections.
Loop equations for both expectation values of single-trace observables, and for
connected correlators of such observables, are considered; hence the
demonstrated non-perturbative equivalence applies to the large N limits of both
string tensions and particle spectra.Comment: 40 pages, JHEP styl