To add to the already magnificient answers: The strategy pattern has a strong similarity to passing a function (or functions) to another function. In the strategy this is done by wrapping said function in an object followed by passing the object. Some languages can pass functions directly, so they don't need the pattern at all. But other languages can't pass functions, but can pass objects; the pattern then applies.
Especially in Java-like languages, you will find that the type zoo of the language is pretty small and that your only way to extend it is by creating objects. Hence most solutions to problems is to come up with a pattern; a way to compose objects to achieve a specific goal. Languages with richer type zoos often have simpler ways of going about the problems -- but richer types also means you have to spend more time learning the type system. Languages with dynamic typing discipline often gets a sneaky way around the problem as well.
