Final answer:
The term 'significance' is the best fit in describing an individual's important status within the state government. This term encompasses the breadth of a person's notable role or impact. Different forms of legitimacy shape authority, with sovereign power being the highest form of political authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "He may look like an ordinary man, but he is, in fact, a figure of real significance in the state government" fits best with the given context. The term significance here acknowledges the person's important status within the state government, which might not be immediately apparent from his appearance. While 'authority,' 'power,' and 'influence' are also potential answers, 'significance' covers the notability and importance of the individual's role or impact in a broader sense. In the context of government and politics, authority figures often hold positions where their power is recognized and accepted by the public. Their objectives and mandates are usually seen as beneficial or true, supporting their right to lead.
Achieving authority in the political realm may be based on different types of legitimacy like traditional legitimacy, which refers to long-standing customs, or rational-legal authority, which is grounded in rules, laws, and regulations. In some instances, individuals may gain charismatic authority thanks to their exceptional personal appeal.
The highest form of political power is often described as sovereign power, where the political actor is ruled by nobody else and holds the ultimate decision-making power. This can be a single individual, a national government, or in democracies, the citizens themselves. Authority becomes legitimate when it is used in a manner consistent with established standards and values.