Abstract
The Deep Transitions framework expands sustainability transitions research by analyzing the long-term co-evolution of multiple socio-technical systems over centuries. It argues that the current configuration of these systems is the root cause of both environmental crises and persistent social inequalities. Unlike traditional transition studies, which focus on single systems over a few decades, Deep Transitions examines historical trajectories, linking the Industrial Revolution to the First Deep Transition—characterized by fossil-fuel reliance, mass production, and unchecked resource use. The framework integrates sustainability transitions theory with long-wave economic cycles, emphasizing the role of shared meta-rules in shaping industrial modernity. Empirical applications include historical analyses of mass production, international governance, and the role of wars as landscape shocks. The Second Deep Transition is envisioned as a fundamental reconfiguration of socio-technical systems toward planetary sustainability and social equity. Future research should refine the framework through expanded empirical testing, engagement with socio-ecological systems, and governance innovations. Deep Transitions challenges conventional transition approaches by emphasizing systemic inertia, global inequalities, and the need for a just transition, making it a critical tool for understanding and guiding long-term transformative change.
