The classic "Ja" poster from 1972

However, Denmark joined the Community not for ideological reasons but to a large extent only because Britain, a close ally and one of Denmark’s biggest exports markets and trade partners, was joining.

The Danes simply thought that it would be more difficult to sell bacon to the Brits if Denmark didn’t have access to the new trade market in Europe. So, no ideology, no willingness to create a better (more peaceful) world behind the Danes’ decision to join. But to be fair, I don’t think that any country since has joined the EEC or the EU because of more ideological reasons than economic.

Denmark held a referendum on the 2^nd of October 1972, where more than 60% backed an EEC membership. I came across this classic (not classy) poster from the “Yes” side; it was made by the “Committee for accession to the European Economic Community”. The Committee obviously knew exactly what would appeal to the promiscuous, hippie Danes.

I have tried to come up with ideas for the symbolic message(s) of the poster:

• “If Denmark joins the Community, there will be more naked women on bikes (for whatever reason)”.
• “You don’t have to worry. Nothing will change if we join the Community. There will STILL be naked women on bikes in Denmark afterwards”.
• “The Community will make us poorer. We will be stripped. Let’s join now”.
• “If we join the Community, we, the Committee, PROMISE you naked women on bikes will celebrate the membership”.