Abstract
This article outlines the history of Denmark's accession to the European Community on 1 January 1973. Two large historical trends shaped the Danish road to EC-membership. On the one hand, the fight for survival that the Danish Nation-State had experienced from 1864-1945 produced a particular Danish model of democracy and social stability, an affinity for Nordic co-operation and a lasting negative perception of Continental Europe in general and Germany in particular. On the other hand, the increased economic interdependence in Western Europe after 1945 included and benefited the Danish economy. It was the latter that induced Denmark to apply for membership of the EEC. Both the Danish membership negotiations and the domestic decision to join were dominated by Denmark’s ambivalence towards Europe. It proved decisive that the enlargement negotiations secured the economic benefits from Danish EC-membership from day one without seriously threatening Danish welfare legislation or Nordic co-operation. Confronted with significant internal opposition, the Social Democratic Party leadership proved instrumental in formulating the vision that not only held the party together, but also won the referendum on 2 October 1972. Danish accession was ultimately sold as an economic decision and the political perspectives of EC-membership were played down.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of European Integration History |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 47-74 |
| ISSN | 0947-9511 |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |
Keywords
- Faculty of Humanities
- Danish European policy
- European integration
- accession negotiations with a view to become member of the EC
- Danish economic history after 1945
- Danish identity