When water spills on the floor it
makes a puddle. this is because
a. liquids do not have a definite shape and will spread
on the floor.
b. liquids will expand to the volume of their containers.
c. the shape of a liquid is not determined by its
container.
d. liquids have a fixed shape, but not a fixed volume.

A. Liquids do not have a definite shape, so it spreads on the ground.

you did not attach the discourse, but i assume it to be the discourse on the origin and basis of inequality among men (the original titile in french is: "discours sur l'origine et les fondements de l'inégalité parmi les hommes"), also know as "second discourse". in this discourse, jean-jacques rousseau emphasizes that private property is the basis of all inequalities.

therefore, what enabled the old regime to maintain as long as it did was private property.