Hunting reduces the population size of the northern elephant seal to as few as 20 individuals at the end of the 19th century. their population has since rebounded to over 30,000, but they have much less genetic variation than a population of the southern elephant seals that was not so intensely hunted. how is the lack of genetic variation related to the hunting episodes of the 1800’s?

The answer is A). Genetic drift occurred: the few individuals left behind were the seals that passed on that specific gene pool.

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.