This book was written in honor of the late Brendan Sargent, a leading Australian strategist.

The collection contains essays and reflections from various scholars, strategists, and public servants, primarily associated with The Australian National University and Griffith University.  The core idea is that strategy is not merely a pragmatic, rational exercise, but fundamentally a challenge to the imagination or the ability to envision alternative futures, reconcile experience with identity, and transcend conventional thinking

The contributors examine how imagination, often drawing from literature, history, and other disciplines, is crucial for understanding complex global challenges, fostering innovative policy development, and navigating Australia’s evolving strategic environment, including its relationships with key international partners and its own historical narratives.

Several sections also address the limitations of conventional approaches and advocate for a more holistic and adaptable mindset in addressing future uncertainties.

This capacity is crucial for nations to navigate complex, rapidly changing environments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, and that its absence leads to rigid, less effective policies.

“Strategic Imagination: Envisioning Alternative Futures in a Shifting World”
Essays in Honor of Brendan Sargent.

Beyond Cold Logic: How Strategic Imagination Shapes Our World