Republican theory holds that the most serious crime problems are those that society is in the best position to reduce; the changes needed to effect these reductions have gained attention and momentum in some Western countries, such as Australia, since the mid-1970's. Republicans are morally committed to both political and economic equality and to community involvement in disapproving of criminality (shaming). These commitments leads to support for certain progressive social movements as a means of responding to crime problems. The author concludes that people who are involved in drunk driving, white-collar crimes, domestic violence, or drug offenses will more likely be deterred by societal shaming than by a State law enforcement policy.