"here is a difference between self-interest and blatant selfishness. The former is not incompatible with the greater good;"

You're coming perilously close to describing Adam Smith's "invisible hand." ;p

"Further, I sincerely believe that the self-interest of every group is tied together with the intrinsic right of all groups to have the freedom to do so."

Now I'm sure that most of us agree with the sentiment that the emancipation of others makes us all better.

But, twisted mind that I have, I realized an INVERSE argument which leads to the same end.

One could actually be a selfish SOB who wants total domination. So long as you fear that the tools to eliminate all opponents might end up in enemy hands, you may be drawn to see that the removal of coercive tools is the only way to ensure that you won't be hoist by your own petard.

Advance freedom if you're an optimist, and advance it twice as fast if you're a paranoid misanthrope. ;p

Dante