The American Assembly's major objectives are: to focus attention and stimulate informed discussion on a range of critical U.S. policy topics, both domestic and international; to inform government officials, community and civic leadership, and the general public regarding the background and the range of policy options in a given issue; to facilitate increased communication among decision makers from the public and private sectors, as well as from institutions and organizations concerned with critical public policy issues; and to raise on a continuing basis the level and quality of public policy discourse on national and international issues.

The American Assembly plays an important role in the process of American democracy in two ways. First, in more than one hundred American Assemblies held at Arden House and at other locations across the United States, thousands of public opinion leaders have gathered from throughout the country and the world, drawn from a broad range of views, interests, and backgrounds. They tend to be leaders in their respective fields or have been identified as future leaders. In addition, regional Assemblies held by hundreds of educational institutions in the United States and abroad, using the materials commissioned by The Assembly, further stimulate understanding and thought about important issues of U.S. policy. The impact of the Assembly deliberations on these key leaders is considerable.

Second, The Assembly plays an important educational role. Its publications extend its influence far beyond its individual participants. Assembly reports have been read by tens of thousands of people. They are regularly requested by teachers and professors throughout the country and are distributed gratis. The American Assembly book series, published by W.W. Norton & Company, has inspired generations of scholars and citizens interested in public policy topics. The Assembly's books and reports continue to be available and in demand years after their original publication.