Political attitudes, as measured in a large, national representative sample survey in five areas central to the "great gap" hypothesis (i.e. huge differences in attitudes between the young and the old) are examined in light of three models of the politics of youth. The data casts doubt on theories of the "youth revolt". While the non-college young were found to be surprisingly liberal in their opinions, the college young turned out to be the least politically alienated group and much more optimistic about the efficacy of working within the system. (EH)