Appeal to Popularity
(argumentum ad populum)

Definition:

A proposition is held to be true because it is widely held to be true or is held to be true by some (usually superior) sector of the population.

This fallacy is sometimes also called the "Appeal to Emotion" because emotional appeals often sway the population as a whole.

Examples:

(i) Everyone likes beautiful people, so buy Teeth-Brite(tm) toothpaste and become beautiful. Everyone will approve of your choice.

(ii) Polls suggest that President Jones will win the election, so you may as well vote for him.

(iii) Everyone knows that the Earth is flat, so why do you persist in your outlandish claims?

(iv) Most educated people know that it is better to use paper bags than plastic ones. (An appeal to the superior group among whom the position is supposedly popular. (See also argumentum verecundium).

References:

Copi and Cohen: 103, Davis: 62

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