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Deep transitions and the evolution of the digital meta-regime
Digital technologies are increasingly framed as important tools to address grand challenges such as climate change. While there is an increasing body of research on the role of digitalisation in unfolding sustainability transitions, it has been recognised that there is a lack of longer-term historical analysis of the evolution of digitalisation in the transitions field.
This paper interrogates the multi-system evolution of digital technologies and the historical processes that have shaped the particular directionality characterising the information society. To do this, we mobilise and develop the Deep Transitions framework (DT). The DT framework has studied the mechanisms and processes that shaped the emergence and consolidation of mass production. However, the fifth surge of economic growth (identified as being initiated by the invention of the microprocessor and innovations in telecommunications), has yet to be analysed using the framework. We carry out a case study analysis developing a novel interpretation of digitalisation understood in terms of multi-system transitions processes and the consolidation of a meta-regime. In so doing, we contribute to a validation of DT theory and the analysis of multiple systems dynamics. We also contribute to ongoing debates on the twinning of digitalisation and sustainability, highlighting that contrary to what has been argued sustainability did not had a strong influence on how digitalisation has unfolded.
Authors: Phil Johnstone, Laur Kanger, Johan Schot.
