Final answer:
Bureaucracies as meritocracies prevent nepotism through merit-based hiring and promotion, and the principle of impersonality which removes personal biases from professional decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics of bureaucracy that help prevent nepotism include meritocracy, specialization, efficiency, and impersonality. Bureaucracies function as meritocracies where hiring and promotion are based on proven skills and qualifications rather than personal connections or favoritism. This merit-based system ensures that jobs are allocated fairly and reduces the risk of nepotism. The principle of impersonality within bureaucracies removes personal feelings from professional situations, further protecting the organization from nepotism and other types of favoritism, and ensuring that customers and other stakeholders are served equitably.