The seemingly ireconcilable tension between social and self-interest will only be overcome once it's discovered that the latter is ultimately reliant upon the former. A model for overcoming this 'master-servent' model Atari mentions is outlined in Robert Nozick's book Anarchy, State and Utopia:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anarchy-Stat...8550071&sr=1-1
An excellent book, and VERY persuasive in its argument - even though I instinctively disagree with its core anarcho-libertarian-style premise.