Yes, I would be more in favor of a system which helps you while at war rather than when you are off war.
The idea is that if you have already lost all your wars, you have enough time to rebuild as is. A faster rate of recruitment just means you get out faster. And if people were to just cycle you, then such an advantage has no significance.
Rather, my proposal helps to "bait beige" or at best, turn the tides with a higher recruitment ratio. For example, a 50% faster recruitment rate would mean a c20 would have the same buying power as a c30, helping them buy and smack around harder, esp if they are fighting people at their city count or lower.