Deep transitions and the evolution of the digital meta-regime

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