During the German Democratic Republic (East Germany), it was subordinate to the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party.
Initially, the institution was subordinate to the Section for Agitation and Propaganda in the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party.
Members of the Socialist Unity Party and its organizations were delegated to studies of either one or three years duration, finishing as Diplom-Gesellschaftswissenschaftler (equivalent to a Bachelor in Social Sciences).
From 1946 to 1948, the institution's domicile was Liebenwalde near Oranienburg, then from 1948 to 1955 Castle Hakeburg (later guest house of the Socialist Unity Party).
Notable teachers during these early years included Wolfgang Leonhard and Carola Stern.