Long-term national strategy should be considered a core capability of the state. This paper sets out to examine how governments come to a national view of what really matters over longer time horizons, the ways governments can best confront and tackle future problems, and how the configuration, mechanisms and capabilities of the state can best enable the pursuit and delivery of long-term outcomes for citizens. 

Democracies can support long-term, national goals, but need new practices, cycles and structures to do so. While often seen as the domain of autocracies, democracies can deliver strategic coherence through innovative practices and inclusive frameworks. For strategy to succeed, it must be nationally owned, grounded in historical understanding, outward-looking and adaptable to change. 

Embedding strategy as an iterative, learning-based practice within key institutions is essential for long-term success. Only then can governments navigate complex global challenges while aligning short-term political pressures with long-term national goals.