I'm not well versed in the EU, but the impression I get from the films is something like this:

The Rebel Fighters vs TIE fighters isn't the true comparison.

The comparison is more along the lines of Rebel Fighters vs a Star Destoyer and a fleet of TIE fighters. The Star Destroyer is packing a much larger punch, but lacks the speed and maneuverability. The TIE fighters have some speed and maneuverability, but lack much power and are reliant on being close range to a central docking space.

Rebel Fighters are a nice combination of features, each working together as an equally important part of the whole.

The entire hierarchy being represented in the Empire vs Rebels is shown quite plainly here in the approaches to aerial combat. The Empire, with a dictatorship and the Rebels working democratically.