Final answer:
The most likely meaning of 'clout' in the context used is 'power', therefore the correct answer is b) Power. Sovereignty and legitimacy are also important concepts related to political power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase 'local bosses gained more and more clout' means that as cities expanded, the local leaders or influencers obtained increasing amounts of power or influence. Therefore, the answer is b) Power.
The highest form of political power can be seen in various ways. Someone might consider a president to hold the highest form, while others might argue that the abstract concept of sovereignty or the principle of legitimacy represents the pinnacle of political power. Sovereignty pertains to the ultimate authority within a territory, and legitimacy refers to the recognition of that authority as just and lawful.
Regarding the international community, the process by which sovereign states gain rights and obligations is crucial to how they are perceived and how they interact with other states. This also ties into how powerful states might sway or control the actions of weaker states or how a state like the United States might convince others to follow its policies, often seen as a soft-power strategy.