The notion of greater presidential power translating into more democracy and American world power has been heavily debated in recent years, especially by Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of English Dana Nelson, who published "Bad for Democracy: How the Presidency Undermines the Power of the People."

According to Nelson, the myth that one of these candidates will rescue us is misleading. In fact, she bases her entire book on the argument that the true power should go back to the people.

"Although (the election) makes people feel like they're democratically powerful, what they're doing is handing over that really revolutionary idea that it's not the President who leads; its the people who lead," said Nelson. "We've gotten so attached to the idea that the president is the most important attribute in democracy and we've gotten a lot flakier about democracy."

The rise of presidential power in the 20th century almost directly correlates with a drop in voter participation.

Nelson encourages students to partake in local politics, volunteer organizations and civic activism in order to get reacquainted with the political process. Increased public involvement, especially among youth, is necessary in assuring the true preservation of democracy.

"Politics should be open to disagreement but in ways that don't involve demonizing and eliminating your political opposition," Nelson said. "The way we disagree now turns people off from democratic politics because it's so ugly and vicious ... Democracy is about independence and interdependence. It is out of disagreement that we can make creative solutions rather than have the central powers only handle it."