Abstract The message is now clear: Development must become sustainable. Throughout the world, in both poor and rich countries, many initiatives have been taken thanks to the involvement of citizens. However, the results of this mobilization are well below what is needed to face the situation. The global societal production model we use is divided into five spheres: autonomous (individuals), social (NGOs or other), State (governments), profit making establishments (companies), and the democratic sphere. Deadlocks come about when one sphere develops at the cost of others thereby dominating the entire system. The profit making sphere has locked us into the dead end of growth. How did we get here? What are the challenges we face? How can responsible innovations contribute to freeing the global societal production system and overcoming the deadlock? This article aims to contribute to this debate. JEL Codes: Q01, L2 Keywords Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), growth, innovation, sustainable development, societal system