ignorant masses; uneducated populace
A somewhat literary or rhetorical term for the common people viewed as lacking knowledge or enlightenment. Often carries a condescending or critical tone.
政治家は愚民を導くべきだという考え方もある。
There is also a view that politicians should lead the ignorant masses.
その本は愚民を啓蒙するために書かれた。
That book was written to enlighten the unlearned populace.
obscurantist policy; keep-the-people-ignorant policy
Compound of 愚 (gu, 'foolish') and 民 (min, 'people'). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it follows a common Sino-Japanese pattern for describing groups of people.