Spending on federal social programs is 400 times greater than spending on federal lobbying and political campaigns. This includes spending by political parties, candidates, and special interest groups. The precise figures are: $2,677 billion on social programs in 2017, $3.42 billion on lobbying in 2018, and $6.51 billion on political campaigns in 2015-16 (the latest presidential and congressional election cycle). The equation is: 2,677 / (3.42 + (6.51/2)) = 401