We present a proof of the irreversibility of renormalization group flows, i
.e, the c-theorem for unitary, renormalizable theories in four (or generall
y even) dimensions. Using Ward identities for scale transformations and spe
ctral representation arguments, we show that the c-function based on the tr
ace of the energy-momentum tensor (originally suggested by Cardy) decreases
monotonically along renormalization group trajectories. At fixed points th
is c-function is stationary and coincides with the coefficient of the Euler
density in the trace anomaly, while away from fixed points its decrease is
due to the decoupling of positive-norm massive modes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sc
ience B.V.