Which statement best describes the role of nobles in Russia under absolute government?

The role of nobles in Russia under absolute government is best described by the idea that they had no formal involvement in government. During periods of absolute rule, such as under the reign of powerful tsars, the monarch held centralized control over the state and governance. Nobles were often landowners who were granted privileges and wealth, yet their power was limited in the context of the central authority of the tsar.

While nobles were influential in their localities, they did not collectively wield the power that came from a formal government structure. Instead, they often served at the pleasure of the tsar, whose decisions could supersede their influence or authority. The nobles had to navigate their status under an autocratic regime rather than acting as governing bodies or representatives with independent authority. This centralization of power meant that the nobility's role was subordinate to that of the monarch, leading to their lack of formal government involvement in legislative or state decisions.

The options suggest varying degrees of power for nobles, but in the case of absolute government in Russia, the significant limitation on their formal roles makes the correct statement that they had no formal involvement in government.