Molecular origin of synclinic and anticlinic ordering in the smectic-C and smectic-C(A) phases is considered in detail. The model potential for the anticlinic phase is proposed and possible contributions between various intermolecular interactions are discussed. It is concluded that conventional dispersion and steric interactions between mesogenic molecules generally do not promote the Sm-C(A) phase. A particular model of the anticlinic phase is proposed which is based on interlayer orientational correlations between transverse molecular dipoles located in the flexible chains. Such correlations are not sensitive to molecular chirality and thus the theory accounts for the formation of the anticlinic phase in racemic mixtures. Finally the microscopic origin of ferrielectric and antiferroelectric subphases is discussed and the concept of the 'discrete' flexoelectric effect is introduced which can in principle be used to explain the particular structure of subphases.