Why does an armed group adopt not only one measure but also combine multiple strategies in its mobilization efforts? This book argues that, given a difference in a group's influence between the stronghold and contested areas, it will adopt varying mobilization strategies that range from involuntary to voluntary recruitment. When the group attempts to collect combatants in the stronghold, it can use coercion as a means of mobilization. Within contested areas, in contrast, the group seeks to recruit dedicated participants whose interests coincide with the groups' long-term goals.

In civil war the causal mechanism on recruitment of combatants is complicated because armed groups interact for context-based strategic. This book argues that a group will adopt varying mobilization strategies depending upon the difference in a group's influence between the stronghold and contested areas, using as examples two Cambodian civil wars.