The Idea of International Relations in The Wealth of Nation

The Wealth of Nation by Adam Smith,while exploring the fundamental ways for the state to accumulate wealth,discusses people's motive to seek wealth,that is,self-interest.Smith takes self-interest as human nature.However,self-interest,which is fulfilled by altruism,is different from selfishness.Market system is the medium between self-interest and altruism.The market system will give full play to self-interest,combining the self-interest and altruism,the personal interest and the social interest.Based on these ideas,Adam Smith puts forward the concept of laissez-faire.He thinks that the government must adopt the policy of laissez-faire in internal affairs and carry out free trade with foreign countries.Such idea becomes the origin of the concept of peaceful trade.