How did private property contribute to inequality in Rousseau’s account?

In Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s political philosophy, particularly in his Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, the introduction of private property is identified as a pivotal factor in the development of social inequality.12

Rousseau argued that as human societies evolved from primitive, solitary states into "nascent societies," the emergence of property created a "fatal" shift. This development necessitated the creation of law and government to protect the possessions of those who were fortunate enough to have them.123

According to Rousseau, this led to a "fraudulent" social contract that served the interests of the wealthy. By transforming de facto possession into recognized, rightful ownership, the state effectively institutionalized the dispossession of the poor. Consequently, while civil society was ostensibly formed to provide peace for all, it functioned primarily to protect the status quo and maintain the advantages of the rich over the poor.123