The phrase "general populace" refers to the overall population or people in general. It includes everyone, or the majority of people, without specifying any particular group or category. Full definition
sadly, chick fil a appreciation day showed how deep bigotry is in the minds of general populace. (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
People forget that the books were written during times when general populace did not understand how the world works, why there is night and day, why there are stars in sky. (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
By the time Buhari was overthrown on August 27, 1985 he had become very politically isolated - alone with a small, inner core; the country was economically hobbled and the elite and even general populace stifled. (nigeriapoliticsonline.com)