The hesitant European history of Denmark's accession to the European Communities
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The hesitant European history of Denmark's accession to the European Communities. / Rasmussen, Morten.
In: Journal of European Integration History, Vol. 11, No. 2, 2005, p. 47-74.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The hesitant European history of Denmark's accession to the European Communities
AU - Rasmussen, Morten
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Faculty of Humanities
KW - Dansk europapolitik efter 1945
KW - europæisk integration
KW - medlemsskabsforhandlinger med EF
KW - Dansk økonomisk historie efter 1945
KW - dansk identitet
KW - Danish European policy
KW - European integration
KW - accession negotiations with a view to become member of the EC
KW - Danish economic history after 1945
KW - Danish identity
M3 - Journal article
VL - 11
SP - 47
EP - 74
JO - Journal of European Integration History
JF - Journal of European Integration History
SN - 0947-9511
IS - 2
ER -
ID: 87646