Final answer:
General agreement among the citizenry on an issue is called the majority opinion, which reflects the consensus on important societal matters and guides policymakers in a democracy. Examples include compulsory education and the need for a strong military, while individual interest levels and elite opinions add complexity to the public discourse.
Step-by-step explanation:
General agreement among the citizenry on an issue is often referred to as the majority opinion. This consensus reflects the wider public sentiment on certain issues that are deemed important to society as a whole. For instance, compulsory education for children under 16 is a topic where there is widespread agreement. Similarly, the need for a strong military to defend from invasion is another example, though there may be varying opinions on the specifics of defense spending. When discussing majority opinions, it's crucial to acknowledge the role of public opinion in a democracy, where the views of the majority should guide government policymaking, while still considering the positions of minority groups.
However, majority opinion does not imply unanimity on all subjects. People have different levels of interest and awareness about various policy issues, as pointed out by experts like Stanford University Professor Jon Krosnick. The concept of issue publics suggests that the electorate is divided into multiple groups, each passionate about different issues. Moreover, elite opinion, representing influential societal segments, also plays a role in shaping public discourse. Despite these complexities, when a significant portion of the population, such as in the case of national immigration policies, agrees on a matter, it indicates a strong majority opinion that can influence change.