In the Early Decades of European Integration, Researchers Often Spoke

In the early decades of European integration, researchers often spoke of a "permissive consensus" around European integration. What does this refer to?

A) Citizens agreed that the EU is an important and valuable project.
B) Political elites supported EU integration.
C) People went to the street demanding increased EU integration.
D) Citizens generally supported EU integration, but did not care much about it.