When are mind maps actually useful — and how do I draw them for Polity, Geography, and IR?

Mind maps work for topics that branch (Polity hierarchies, Geography physical-human-economic, IR bilateral webs). They fail for chronologies and prose-heavy topics. Use Buzan's radial structure plus a 4-branch UPSC adaptation. Each map should fit one A4 — if it sprawls, the topic is too big.