What was Adam smiths idea on government?

Adam Smith believed that the government's primary role should be to maintain order, protect property rights, and provide public goods that the private sector cannot efficiently supply. He argued for limited government intervention in the economy, advocating instead for free markets driven by individual self-interest, which he saw as a mechanism for promoting overall economic prosperity. However, Smith acknowledged the necessity of government in areas such as defense, justice, and infrastructure. His ideas laid the groundwork for modern economic thought and the concept of laissez-faire capitalism.