Historical and Legal Background of Public Oversight

The activity of control within a State is seen as a tool of defense of society against the arbitrariness of power, the same that is imposed to ensure the subjection of public action to the legal framework, as well as the fulfillment of its goals and objectives, expressed in the quality and quantity of public services.Specifically, administrative control of state activities is the function of public administration in charge of controlling the use of state resources and the achievement of the objectives of state institutions.The central objective of administrative control is to evaluate the reasonableness of the administrative and financial operations of public institutions, which is expressed in a report containing comments, conclusions and recommendations, in an attempt to improve the management of state machinery; and by exception, when irregularities are found, to determine responsibilities.The control activity within the administrative management of a State has to do with the financial and ethical health of the State and therefore with the level of satisfaction of the population.