Óscar Sánchez Muñoz

Óscar Sánchez Muñoz is a Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Valladolid (Spain) and a substitute member of the Venice Commission representing Spain. He has been pursuing his academic career for thirty years, focusing his research on electoral law, political finance, political parties, freedom of expression, and federalism. He has authored more than a hundred publications, including books such as The Regulation of Election Campaigns in the Digital Age: Disinformation and Microtargeting in Social Media (2020), Government Advertising and Elections (2013), and Equality of Opportunities in Electoral Competitions (2007).

He holds a PhD in Law from the University of Valladolid, a DEA (Diploma of Advanced Studies) in Comparative Public Law of European States from the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, and a specialization in International Human Rights Law from the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Beyond academia, his professional work as an expert in electoral law has gained significant recognition. He has authored reports for both public and private institutions and has participated in numerous electoral assistance and observation missions. As an expert, he has been invited to testify before parliamentary committees of the Spanish Congress of Deputies on issues such as political party financing and disinformation in electoral campaigns.

Throughout his career, he has taught at various universities across Europe and Latin America and has been a visiting scholar at prestigious institutions, including the University of Toronto (ICCS grant), the American University Washington College of Law (Fulbright-Schuman grant), and the University of Ottawa.

Additionally, he served as an elected member of the regional parliament of Castilla y León from 2003 to 2011, where he played a key legislative role. His contributions were particularly notable in the reform of the Statute of Autonomy and the drafting of several institutional laws.

Contact: ss21288@nyu.edu

Research Project

The Global Digital Oligarchy: Implications for Democracy and the Rule of Law.  Over the past two decades, the digital transformation of society has led to an unprecedented concentration of power in the hands of a few dominant tech corporations, giving rise to what some scholars call a “global digital oligarchy.” This research project aims to critically analyze this emerging phenomenon and its implications for constitutional democracy and the rule of law. In the 21st century, digital giants have become unavoidable political and social actors. Their control over information flows, communication infrastructures, and digital ecosystems raises significant concerns about the erosion of political equality—a core principle of democracy. When economic oligarchies extend their influence into the political domain, they distort democratic institutions and weaken citizens' equal capacity to participate in political decision-making. I will seek to address a fundamental question: Can we redirect technological progress in a way that supports, rather than undermines, democracy and constitutional governance? In order to answer this question, the proposed research will explore the legal and institutional tools available to restore democratic balance. In sum, the research project pursues three main objectives: (1) To examine the nature and scope of global digital oligarchy; (2) To evaluate its impact on democratic principles and the rule of law through comparative analysis of constitutional systems and regulatory frameworks; (3) To propose theoretical models and policy recommendations aimed at curbing digital hegemony, enhancing fundamental rights protection, and safeguarding democratic sustainability. Ultimately, this research aspires to contribute to the development of a constitutional framework capable of confronting digital oligarchic threats and reaffirming political equality in the digital era.